Learning to share

Jo Fletcher, the coordinator of Connect Redfern and Alexandria Park Community Centre, said: “We actually want to provide for all families and what we’ve found is that sometimes the needs of families from a range of cultures may be different from the needs of the mainstream. Also, in a mainstream playgroup people who have English as a second language are often a lot quieter within that playgroup and often can get lost within that playgroup.”

The Multicultural Playgroup is a collaborative scheme between the Alexandria Community Centre and South Sydney Community Aid whose staff worker, Huong Pham, facilitates the program and acts as the main connection with parents.

While the main playgroup and the multicultural playgroup were held on separate days, families were encouraged to attend both.

A positive outcome of the multicultural playgroup has been the parents’ involvement in South Sydney Community Aid’s activities. “We want to use the playgroup as an entry point for finding out from the parents who are attending, what are the needs for those families in regards to programs, particular training, courses we might be able to bring in,” Ms Fletcher said.

The multicultural playgroup is planning excursions for members, such as the upcoming Morning Tea at the [Australian] Museum. “They actually allow us to bring our whole playgroup to the Museum and we have one of their workers take the playgroup through a part of the museum and we have morning tea there,” Ms Fletcher said.

The Multicultural Playgroup is run every Thursday 10-12pm. For more information on the Multicultural Playgroup or the Alexandria Park Playgroup, contact Jo Fletcher on 9319 3207.

Photo: Ali Blogg - Multicultural playgroup

Source: South Sydney Herald May 2010 www.southsydneyherald.com.au