Celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of our Sandringham Service Centre

In February, we proudly marked an important moment in our organisation’s history, the re‑opening of our Sandringham Service Centre. After 55 years of supporting local families, the building has been thoughtfully refreshed and upgraded to reflect the growth of our programs and the evolving needs of our community.

The official opening brought together many of the people who make our work possible, including our partners, funders, supporters, dedicated staff and volunteers. A highlight of the event was seeing our long‑standing patron, Malcolm Parks, cut the signature orange ribbon to officially open the renewed space.

Our CEO, Allison Wainwright, captured the spirit of the day beautifully, sharing:

“Today, this building stands as it always has, not as an endpoint, but as a platform. A platform for care. For connection. For hope. May it continue to be a place where families feel welcomed, supported and believed in.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone. With the doors now reopened, we are excited to continue offering a welcoming and supportive environment for families for many years to come. You can view photos from the celebration in our Facebook album.

You can view photos from the celebration in our Facebook album

Behind the Scenes of Volunteering with Rosie

Our long‑standing volunteer, Rosie, was recently featured in the Charitable Reuse Australia video series filmed at our Highett Community Op Shop (keep an eye out on their socials to see Rosie and our Family Life team in action!). Rosie has been part of our Cheltenham team for nearly eight years, bringing warmth, enthusiasm and a strong sense of community to every shift.

She often speaks about the joy and purpose she’s found through volunteering with Family Life and her passion has inspired many others to get involved. Stories like Rosie’s highlight just how meaningful and rewarding volunteering can be.

“Once you start volunteering, you realise just how many meaningful connections you can build - with the store, the customers and the community.”

“When I first started volunteering, it was a way to stay involved in the community. But over time, it’s become about Family Life and the people. Our customers know me, and I’ve watched their kids grow up. I’ve built real connections and that means the most to me.” - Rosie, Family Life Volunteer.

As our Community Op Shops continue to grow, we’re welcoming new volunteers to join our team. Volunteering with Family Life offers the chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of local families.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities at Family Life, click here.

We’re Thrilled to Be Part of Community Together

At Family Life, we’re thrilled to be part of Community Together, a growing neighbourhood initiative in Hampton East and surrounds that’s all about strengthening the local community so children and families can thrive.

Community Together brings residents, community groups, services and partners around the same table to build on the strengths that already exist in the neighbourhood. By working together, we can support families earlier, reduce pressure on formal service systems and create a more connected, confident and caring community.

Why Community Together Matters

Every community has incredible strengths - people who care, places that bring us together, and local knowledge about what families truly need. Community Together taps into these strengths by:

Creating opportunities for people to connect
Building community capability and confidence
Helping identify families who might need support earlier
Linking people with local, community‑based solutions

Cuppa and Chats at Keith Street Community House

Are you local to the area? As part of strengthening connection in the neighbourhood, we’re excited to invite you to Cuppa & Chat at Keith Street Community House. This is a relaxed, welcoming space where anyone can drop in for a conversation, meet new people and feel supported.

Cuppa & Chat runs every Monday from 11am to 2pm, and every Thursday from 1pm to 4pm, at Keith Street Community House, located at 12 Keith Street, Hampton East. There’s no need to register or book ahead, you can pop in whenever it suits you.

For more information, please visit our website here.

New Program Spotlight: Walk With Me

Family Life is launching Walk With Me, a new Children’s Group in Term 2, 2026. The first group will run from a community space in Narre Warren South and is designed for children aged 4–12 from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds whose parents are separated.

This group offers a safe and culturally sensitive environment where children can explore and make sense of the changes happening in their families. Through creative, play‑based activities and supportive group experiences, children are encouraged to build emotional literacy and body awareness while learning about the different ways distress can be expressed both physically and culturally. The program is also designed to strengthen each child’s sense of identity, belonging, and cultural pride, helping them feel recognised and valued for who they are.

Across six weekly sessions, children will gently explore themes such as understanding family change, feeling emotionally safe, finding comfort through familiar routines like food and culture, building safe relationships, connecting with peers and drawing strength from their cultural backgrounds and personal hopes for the future.

We look forward to welcoming our first group and supporting children as they navigate change with growing confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self.

For more information about Family Life’s programs, and to get in touch, click hear.

Rebuilding a Bond: Marcus’s Journey Through Dads in Focus

Marcus joined Family Life’s Dads in Focus program after almost two years without seeing his young son. Wanting to understand the impact of his behaviour and rebuild trust, he approached the program with openness and a genuine desire to change.

With guidance from Dads in Focus, Marcus began supervised visits and weekly video calls. The program helped him manage his anxiety about reconnecting and develop practical, child‑centred ways to engage. Over time, his confidence grew and his relationship with his son began to strengthen again.

Through the program, Marcus also gained deeper insight into how his actions had affected his former partner and child. This shift toward empathy and accountability helped him begin building a safer, more positive future for his family.

Family Life programs, such as Dads in Focus, are made possible by the support of our dedicated funders and supporters.

To find out more about Dads in Focus, and our suite of Family Life programs and services, click here.

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