Biala Ringwood

The stories that make up the Biala family...

We are migrants living in Australia with no extended family what so ever.
When we had our first child and instantly hit with the fact that she is
disabled and how complicated her life is we thought that's it for us. We
were scared and felt hopeless having no support.

I always thought Biala family as angels, who came to rescue. The support
we receive from this community is unbelievable for our family. You guys
are givers and carers. It fills our heart with all the good work you guys do
and we feel love and gratitude for your existence.

We all love you guys ❤

Letters to you is a booklet of hope for parents early on in their journey of diagnosis.

If you are lucky enough to be local to Melbourne’s outer East you can pick up the booklets in Vermont, at an arranged time, if you are not we would love you to pay for postage if you are able.

These booklets are made available because pea listeners and Mandy and Kate have donated money towards them, we are beyond grateful for all the support.

Order your copy by completing the following form.

This week our volunteers attended Safe Church training, delivered by Rev Lucas Taylor.

Both as a community and individuals, we each have role in creating a culture of child safety and to ensure child safe practices are embedded into every aspect of our interactions with children.

This course builds on the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the framework adopts the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Great to see our Biala volunteers end their training with a get together over lunch.
Thank you to all our volunteers for your participation and to Rev Lucas Taylor for your delivery of this valuable training.

We have two-year-old twins boys, both with special needs, and a 3 year old daughter. We find that giving our children the one-on-one attention they deserve is not possible, so Biala has given us the opportunity to do just that.

Biala has been a refreshing and replenishing oasis of love for our boys where we can rest assured that they are getting wonderful one-on-one care and attention as well as stimulating activities. Having the respite, has meant that we can also give our 3 year old daughter some special focused time and attention. Biala has created a space for our family to breathe again.

We are truly grateful and so blessed by the love and support.

Sara & Glenn McCullough

National Volunteer Weeks is Australia's largest annual celebration of volunteering, held between May 15 - 21.

This year's theme The Change Makers resonates with the work Biala Ringwood volunteers give to enhance the wellbeing of families and their children.

Thank you to all volunteers for your gift of time each week of care and play with the children. Without you, Biala Ringwood would not be possible and the impact you have on those you help. You are change makers.

You are much appreciated and valued, thank you.

To all who nurture and care for another, we celebrate and appreciate you every day.

Music and song is part of our every day at Biala. Singing is fun, engaging and helps learning new sounds and meaning of words.

This is to all the Mothers out there. For the love they give, the long hours they put in, and the care they take, even when it goes unnoticed. We love you. 🥰

Our new chairs have arrived!!

We are most appreciative to Croydon Men's Shed for supporting Biala. Without core stability and strength, sitting is fatiguing and impacts the quality of play. The comfort and support that our new chairs provide makes a difference to the children's ability to focus and benefit the joys of play.

A huge thanks to those involved in building these chairs and to Michael and Gil for visiting our service.

The reason we do what we do from the mouths of our parents:

Biala is a Hidden Gem

I initially saw Biala as a means of offering me some respite, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a

place that celebrates our children, a place for volunteers to love and be loved and a support net-
work for parents and children alike.