One Night Outside

Camp for a Cause August 30th 2025

Circus Quirkus - Free Tickets

Community Programs

Raising Children Network: Introducing an app to support student wellbeing

The Raising Healthy Minds app is a free, personalised, pocket resource to help parents and carers raise confident, resilient children. Co-designed with parents and experts and funded by the Australian Government, Raising Healthy Minds aims to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing with evidence-based information. 

You’ll find information on topics like dealing with worries and making friends, as well as ideas for day-to-day life, like creating family routines, looking after yourself as a parent, and building strong relationships. 

The app offers a mix of quick-read articles, videos and animations aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years. You can tailor information to the age of your child and opt-in to receive helpful tips. 

Raising Healthy Minds provides simple-to-use information at your fingertips with clear actions you can start today. 

Download from Google Play or the App Store or go to raisingchildren.net.au/rhm to learn more and raise a healthy mind 🧠 😊 

RIAC’s Tips for Carers/Parents of neurodiverse and/or Autistic children

Reducing the stress of taking neurodiverse and/or autistic children to the hairdresser

Haircuts can be overwhelming for neurodiverse and/or autistic children. They may be anxious about what will happen during the process or experience sensory overload with the noisy clippers, strange smells and strangers touching their hair.

Try these tips to help prepare your child before they go to the hairdresser -

Role play hair cuts at home and/or make a social story about haircuts so your child knows what to expect.
Introduce the salon slowly. Take your child along to visit the salon and watch someone they know have a haircut.
Book an appointment outside peak times.
Speak to the hairdresser before the appointment and share suggestions on what will help your child feel comfortable.
Mark the appointment on a visual calendar so your child is prepared.
Talk positively about the upcoming appointment.

Come along to our Carer Support groups to learn more tips and enjoy a cuppa and a chat with other parents who have faced similar struggles.

Bendigo Walking Group

Bendigo Carer Self-Care Hub

When: 9.30am – 11am

Every Thursday during school term

Where: Meet at Peppergreen Farm carpark

40 Thunder Street

North Bendigo

When: 10am – 12 noon

1st Thursday each month

Where: Peppergreen Farm

40 Thunder Street

North Bendigo

For more information – EMAIL: carers@riac.org.au

PHONE: Carolyn – 0488 605 363

CatholicCare Term 3 - Parenting Programs and Workshops

Single-Session Workshops

Knowing Your Teen

For parents with teens aged 10+

When: Monday, 18 August

Time: 9:15am - 10:45am

Cost: FREE

Where: Bendigo Library

REGISTER HERE

Building Resilience in Kids

For parents with kids aged up to 12

When: Monday, 8 September

Time: 10.00am - 11:30am

Cost: FREE

Where: Kangaroo Flat Library

REGISTER HERE

Special Event

Creating Cooperation and Connection with Lael Stone

A unique opportunity to hear from a well known Australian parenting expert

When: Tuesday 28th October

Time: 7:00pm - 8.30pm

Cost: $10

Where: The Capital Theatre, Bendigo

BOOK TICKETS HERE

Free Parent Consultations

Single-session parent consultations are available on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Consultations are offered via phone, online via Zoom, or face-to-face.

To book a single-session parent consultation, call our Bendigo office reception on (03) 5438 1300.

Everyday Independence

Everyday Independence specialises in providing early childhood intervention supports to children and their families supported by the NDIS.

With support from a child and family team, a Key Worker and their therapists meet children and their families where life happens, at home, childcare, kinder, school and in the community.

By delivering therapy in children’s everyday environments, we help them learn and practise skills in the places they feel most comfortable and confident. This practical, personalised approach supports meaningful outcomes and helps children participate more in life.

Key Workers Leading the Way

Our key worker plan and oversee each child’s services. As the main therapist and day-to-day contact, they:

Deliver most of a child’s therapy
Coordinate services from speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, behaviour support practitioners and habit coaches
Link parents/carers/families with community services to support a child’s development.

To see how we deliver supports, please click on this link below:

Early Childhood Intervention Services | Everyday Independence

Our Bendigo team have current availability. Check out our website 1300 179 131 | 0490 841 506 | everydayind.com.au

Lightning Reef Primary Outside School Hours Care

Awards

Co-Principal Award

Mumumburra

Duan

Balam-balam

Djulin

Barrangal

Art

Music