We refer to the village often, as we like to think our meal delivery service can genuinely assist in providing some of the support you need from your village. But the word village is broad and can often make us feel even more isolated, wondering just where our village is. We have spent some time uncovering some of the resources and support networks available to women and men that you might not know about and you or a loved one might find helpful. We say so often 'ask for help' but the obvious response is 'but where?'.
DADS
SMS 4 Dads
Fathers, Dads-to-be, Families & Health Professionals. Receive free text messages, support, info & tips – especially for dads & dads-to-be
Dad Space
Mental, emotional and practical support for expectant and new dads
Birthing Dads
Everything you need to know about supporting your partner during childbirth - in just 4 hours – without needing to leave your home – so you and your partner can give your child the best start to life.
https://www.birthingdads.com.au/
The Fathering Project
The Fathering Project positively impacts fathering behaviour and fathers’ engagement with children through evidence-rich programs and resources that engage, equip and support fathers, families, schools, employers and community organisations.
https://thefatheringproject.org/
Direct Advice for Dads - for dads by dads
Practical advice and tips by dads for dads
https://directadvicefordads.com.au/
The Father Hood
The Father Hood is a new branded movement for modern dads, designed to help them survive and thrive in the only job that really counts. As the name suggests, we’re a virtual “neighbourhood” or community that offers support, advice and inspiration for dads
https://www.the-father-hood.com/
-
Pillars of Strength
Pillars of Strength provides timeout and support for bereaved dads and for dads with ill children in hospital.
https://pillarsofstrength.com.au/
-
You got this, mate
You Got This Mate provides tips and info to help rural men reach their best possible mental health.
https://yougotthismate.com.au/
PREGNANCY
The Pink Elephants
Pink Elephants provides the latest resources, information and peer-support for anyone impacted by early pregnancy loss. Using evidence, empathy and connection, our unique digital-first approach offers a single source of specialist support, whenever and wherever it’s needed — for anyone who has directly experienced it, for family and friends, corporate partners or healthcare professionals seeking proven ways to help.
https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/
Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Australia's leading pregnancy and baby website, supporting parents on the journey from pregnancy to preschool. Discover more about pregnancy, birth, being a parent and raising a child.
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/
Pregnancy Counselling Link
At Pregnancy Counselling Link (PCL) we specialise in counselling services. There is no cost for our services. Our counsellors support women, their partners and families through:
Pregnancy and parenting
Parenting Relationships
Navigating life changes
Fertility and reproduction
Depression and anxiety
Loss and grief
Through The Unexpected
Through the Unexpected works to protect the mental wellbeing of people who receive unexpected news regarding the health, development or genetics of their unborn baby.
We advocate for reduced systemic silence, stigma and shame surrounding this experience. We aim to ensure people are empowered with high quality, impartial information to make informed choices and are supported for as long as required.
https://throughtheunexpected.org.au/
STILLBORN & EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS
Bears of Hope
Bears of Hope is a provider of leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby, providing crucial information and guidance during their difficult time of loss and beyond.
https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/seek-support/
Sands
Sands Australia are a self-help support group comprised of parents who have experienced the death of a baby. Now part of Red Nose, Sands continues to offer peer to peer support to parents, grandparents, friends and family.
Red Nose, together with Sands, offer help by:
Listening to your story
Helping you find ways to cope with grief
Helping you navigate the anxiety of a subsequent pregnancy
Giving you information on other support services
Giving you guidance on how to support a friend or family member
https://www.sands.org.au/247-phone-support
-
Penthos
Penthos provides free therapy for grieving couples.
They offer a specialised 16-week therapy program for couples whose grief is not resolving, and who are experiencing relationship difficulties, at least three months after the death of their child or loss of a pregnancy.
https://www.penthos.org.au/for-couples
ISOLATED MUMS
Motherland
We’re a registered charity and we’re on a mission to eliminate the isolation many rural mums face, and improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We connect rural mothers to our supportive online community, share incredible stories of rural motherhood through our podcast, and offer a mother’s group program that every rural mum can access, regardless of her location.
https://motherlandaustralia.com.au/
Mama Tribe
Mama Tribe is where you’ll find a local mothers group near you – from Melbourne to Mooloolaba, Sydney to Subiaco, and everywhere in between.
Are you looking for a gym buddy? Perhaps a mum to grab a coffee with so you can talk about that damn sleep regression?
Maybe you just want a like-minded mama to pass you the tissues.
Whatever the case, Mama Tribe can help you find local, like-minded mama friends near you!
-
The Nurtured Village
We support children, adolescents, young adults and their families, by servicing the Barossa, Gawler and surrounding suburbs of South Australia through in person and Telehealth sessions.
We exist to help families live happier lives by providing fun, innovative, holistic and functional therapy services to children and young people.
https://www.thenurturedvillage.co/
Caring Mums
Caring Mums is a free, confidential and non-judgemental program for new and expecting mums which has won many awards.
It fills a need for women who may be seeking emotional support or connection, whether you’re entering motherhood for the first time or you already have children.
With a trained volunteer by your side – who is an experienced mother herself – you will have the support you need during this exciting and challenging time.
https://www.ncjwavic.org.au/caringmums
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Panda
PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.
https://panda.org.au/about/about-panda
Peach Tree
Peach Tree is a community based mental health organisation, which provides services for parents, partners, and families who are impacted by emotional and mental health challenges in the period of pregnancy and early parenthood.
-
Gidgit Foundation
Gidget Foundation Australia exists to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care.
https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/support/where-do-i-start
Mum Space
MumSpace is designed to connect you quickly with the level of support you need, from advice and support in the transition to parenthood, to effective online treatment programs for perinatal depression and anxiety. The resources on MumSpace will help you ‘step-up’ to whichever level of support suits you best.
This Way Up
We develop, test, and release scientifically-based online programs that help treat anxiety and related mental health conditions. All of our programs are based on the clinically-proven Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory.
https://www.perinatalwellbeingcentre.org.au/how-we-help-you
Cope - Centre of Perinatal Excellence
At COPE, our purpose is to prevent the incidence and minimise the impact of emotional and mental health problems that occur in the perinatal period, and to improve the quality of life of those living with these conditions. We achieve this through our mission, vision and strategic goals.
For When
We connect parents that are struggling to navigate the complex waters of pregnancy and new parenthood to the critical mental health services you might need most.
https://forwhenhelpline.org.au/
Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network
We are a professional collaboration of Victorian-based psychologists dedicated to helping hopeful, expectant and new parents through the childbearing and child-rearing years.
Known for our expertise in the field of perinatal mental health and perinatal grief and loss, we are committed to providing care that is compassionate, non-judgemental and evidence-based.
https://www.antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au/
PREMATURE BABY SUPPORT
Life's Little Treasures
Education and information for parents are crucial to getting the best possible outcomes for premature and sick babies; it empowers families and enables them to become their child’s advocate. We support families in hospital (Neonatal Intensive Care and Special Care Units) and in the community when families come home.
https://lifeslittletreasures.org.au/
Miracle Babies
Australia’s only comprehensive parent to parent support program available from a threatened pregnancy, during the time spent in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN), the transition to home and beyond. This support also includes the loss of a baby cared for by a NICU/SCN.
This program is provided free to Australia’s miracle families and includes play and support groups after discharge.
https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/
INFANT LOSS
Red Tree Foundation
The Red Tree Foundation provides free grief counselling and bereavement support for any family in the South Australian community impacted by the sudden and unexpected death of their baby or child from conception to 17 years of age.
https://redtreefoundation.org.au/
-
Penthos
Penthos provides free therapy for grieving couples.
They offer a specialised 16-week therapy program for couples whose grief is not resolving, and who are experiencing relationship difficulties, at least three months after the death of their child or loss of a pregnancy.
You can read more about Penthos’ free service here.
https://www.penthos.org.au/for-couples
-
Bears of Hope
Bears of Hope is a provider of leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby, providing crucial information and guidance during their difficult time of loss and beyond.
https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/seek-support/
PARENTING
Tweddle
Once referred to as a ‘Sleep School’, Tweddle offers so much more than sleep and settling. All of Tweddle’s Early Parenting Centre programs change the trajectory of family’s lives, with far reaching consequences now and for generations. Tweddle supports parents and carers of babies and toddlers to strengthen attachment, learn about sleep and settling, read their child’s cues, build parenting skills and confidence and connect with community. VIC based.
-
Triple P Positive Parenting Program
Proven, positive tips that can help every family
You can support your child’s development, grow closer and solve problems – positively. There are many simple strategies you can start using right now, to make every moment count!
https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/triple-p/
Tresillian
Tresillian Family Care Centres is Australia’s largest not-for-profit Early Parenting Service offering professional advice, education and guidance to families with a baby, toddler or pre-schooler.
https://www.tresillian.org.au/
Little Sparklers
We empower families to nurture their young children - day in and night out.
We offer free peer support through the online movement, The Beyond Sleep Training Project and share real stories of how families are making life work via The Beyond Sleep Training Podcast. By understanding normal behaviour and development, families can establish realistic expectations for their children.
Karitane
Founded in 1923, Karitane is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity who has been a pioneer in offering expert parental support, education and advice. Over 100 years, Karitane has become a recognised leader in supporting families to navigate parenting in the first 2,000 days of their child's life. We have a history of innovation, providing leading specialist early parenting services while driving accessibility and support for parents, to ensure that every child receives the best start in life.
Parents at Work
Working Parents Connect is a specialist recruitment agency dedicated to connecting return to work and working parents with flexible employment and specialist support services.
https://www.workingparentsconnect.com.au/
Raising Children
At raisingchildren.net.au, we provide free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help your family grow and thrive together. We’re funded by the Australian Government, reviewed by experts and non-commercial, so you know you can trust us.
Designed for busy families and full of tips and tricks for you to try, our content is easy to find and easy to digest. We have the answers to hundreds of parenting questions, where and when you need them.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/
MULTIPLES
Australian Multiple Birth Association
AMBA is a registered charity that is 100% operated by parents who are parents of multiples themselves. Our catch phrase, ‘support from those who know’, embodies our philosophy that no one is as passionate about our cause, as those who have lived it first hand.
At a national level, the AMBA board of Directors strives to deliver on our mission to enable positive health outcomes, awareness and equality for multiple birth families through advocacy, education and community. We act as the voice of our community and work to improve outcomes for all families who are expecting, or have given birth to multiples.
At a club level, a local committee of volunteers provide families with opportunities for connection, education and support. AMBA clubs offer a range of useful resources and services, but any AMBA member will tell you that the best benefit of joining is the friendship you will make.
