Live Wires Update

In the year 2022/2023, Live Wires continued its dedicated work with over 50 children from Collingwood public housing estate. Our after-school sessions saw an average attendance of 44 children, while the holiday program activities attracted up to 60 participants. In January, our 6th graders transitioned to the Drummond Street Services’ youth program, providing them with opportunities to engage with teenagers. We also welcomed a new group of Preps who are currently learning essential skills such as queuing, turn-taking, and teamwork. Feedback from participants indicates that those who have been part of Live Wires develop improved life skills, including better impulse and emotion management, as well as enhanced ability to work in groups by the time they complete our program. We strongly believe that teaching these vital communication and self-regulation skills during the primary school years plays a crucial role in preventing vulnerable children from getting involved in criminal activities, facing educational disruptions, and experiencing mental health challenges during adolescence.

In 2023, one of the significant accomplishments for Live Wires was the provision of a swimming lessons program at the local pool, where parents were also included. Witnessing the children’s excitement, they eagerly skipped and ran the 2 kilometres to the Collingwood Leisure Centre. The program aimed to develop a trusting bond between parents and children as they learned to swim together. Additionally, we utilised this opportunity to educate all 30 participants, spanning different age groups, about the importance of preventing drownings. Sadly, drownings are relatively common in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families that have limited exposure to water and face barriers in accessing water safety education due to cultural, social, and financial constraints. We are grateful to Life Saving Victoria for their kind support in offering free 8-week cycles of swimming lessons. Moreover, ACCRUE funded staff attendance on the weekends, which greatly contributed to the success of the program.

Live Wires Update

ACCRUE’s commitment to Live Wires allows us to run 2 after school sessions every week during school terms, plus the holiday program, in which we offer, in the kid’s words:

• First time I ever went to the beach, it was really far away there was so much sand we had to walk over it and it was hot. Then we got to the waves it was exciting and I jumped up over the waves and I felt scared, but I was with my best friend.

• We went to a place called Fun Fields and it’s like Disneyland and there’s every ride in the world and it’s the best day of fun you can ever do but you will get wet if you go there.

• We went to a big park called Botanic Gardens and we made our own picnic food and we put out a rug and I made it flat. We had a big feast and special treats and we played chasey and then we did music and fun and then Alli fell asleep and we didn’t wake her up.

• There is a place in the city I didn’t even know existed and it is called Riverslide and it is a skate board place and we got to use skateboards and some people went on big ramps and I just pushed mine around not too fast and we had a cool skating teacher called Mo and it was the coolest.

• We went to Fitzroy Pool, and they told us there’s the big kids pool and the small kids pool and the small kids ran and jumped in the deep one anyway but then some of us couldn’t swim so we had to get helped out, but it was very funny and we had chips.

Above, we shared the highlights from the Live Wires Holiday Programs. However, the regular weekly updates are equally heart-warming. Let me provide you with an example shared by Evangeline, our Coordinator.

Live Wires Update

Wednesday 2nd November

22 kids/ 3 paid staff/ 1 student

Today was great. Spaghetti Bolognese – the kids loved it. We have little 2 people helping they are participants, they are the “Junior Chefs” and that has worked well. We also notice as individuals they eat more when they are part of cooking it. After lunch we spread into the 3 spaces: 1 staff member outside for the super active ones, 1 staff member inside overseeing art and craft and writing /cartoon making, 1 staff member in the childcare room doing music playing keyboards (doors are left open, everyone in sight of each other). The kids were very respectful all day and they moved between spaces. It was challenging at times teaching the concept of turn taking (ongoing issue), but we had two students to help. All the kids received attention (their number one priority), and the staff were properly spread. Inside kids played art/craft-based games. Outside they did skipping and chanting and came in and made fruit salad. In the side room Lisa taught them the meaning of 4 beat rhythm and they had a dance. There was a bit of rowdy energetic behaviour, but it felt good-spirited. MO has a moment where he would not pick up some rubbish, he threw on the ground (which is a weekly challenge with the group, we need to talk about). After being spoken to in a kind and assertive manner he did it. There were some comments that verged on the edge of racist by him, but they were addressed by the staff immediately. At the end everyone sung and played happy birthday on the keyboard to YH. Junior chefs are working well. ��

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to everyone at ACCRUE who are making a significant difference! Your dedication to this program is truly commendable. If you would like to showcase your social justice commitment on your website, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any queries or communication needs. We are here to support you in promoting the important work you are contributing to.

Helen.rimington@ds.org.au 0439 207 277

Drummond Street Services Reception, Ph: 9663 6733