Pathfinders Inverell Family and Youth Support Service (IFYSS) has kicked off the new year with a successful school holiday program and community workshop, made possible through a generous community grant from BEST Community Shed and support from Ashford Central School and Ashford LALC through the use of their venues.
The funding supported a family-focused school holiday program in Ashford, providing children, young people and their families with a safe and welcoming space to connect, learn and have fun together.
Activities were offered for all ages, with morning tea and lunch provided, helping families take part in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Across the holidays, children enjoyed a range of hands-on activities including water play, sensory make-and-play, cooking, painting and craft, and tie-dyeing.
Alongside being engaging and fun, these activities supported motor skill development and sensory exploration, while giving families the opportunity to connect with others in their local community.
Alongside the holiday program, IFYSS and volunteers from BEST Community Services hosted a free Head Lice Check and Treatment Workshop, also funded through the grant, with treatment kits kindly donated by Big W Inverell.
The workshop provided free checks, treatments and education in a safe, judgement-free setting, supporting families who may need extra help preparing their children for school.
IFYSS Coordinator Liesel Taber said the support from BEST Community Shed had been greatly appreciated by local families.
“Pathfinders is incredibly grateful to BEST Community Shed for their generous grant, which allowed us to deliver these programs for families in Ashford and the surrounding area. It’s wonderful to see children engaged in positive activities and parents feeling supported. In regional communities like ours, partnerships like this can go a long way in delivering much-needed support to families across our shire.”
BEST Community Shed is a local charity established to build and grow a stronger, more socially inclusive community.
The organisation supports the region through the collection and sale of donated furniture, clothing, electrical and homeware items, provides access to laundry and shower facilities, delivers welfare services, and reinvests profits into local not-for-profit organisations and community projects.
Following positive feedback from families, IFYSS plans to continue delivering practical workshops and family programs throughout the year, supporting education outcomes and strengthening family wellbeing across the Inverell Shire.
Media Release: Pathfinders Inverell
