Home-Start Australia

18/05/2026

It's National Volunteers Week! A huge THANK YOU to all our Home-Start volunteers, across NSW and Victoria, for everything you do to help kids and parents. Whether home visiting, reading with children, childcare for our cooking groups, administration, evaluations, help with events and a million other things...we appreciate and value you all so much! You are the backbone of Home-Start! 🙏💐🌟

04/05/2026

We still have a couple of places available for our Cooking Group in Charlestown, starting on 20th May and running every Wednesday til 24th June 2026. We provide everything, even free childcare. Lots of fun and delicious food...Mums,dads and carers of children welcome. Contact us for more info on 0414 547781.
://www.facebook.com/NewcastlePermanent/
://www.facebook.com/theplacecharlestown/

29/04/2026

We enjoyed a lovely catch up last Thursday for Friendship on a Plate - Cooking and Connection Group 3. Some of our mums, bubs and volunteers gathered at Home-Start Newcastle, where mums received a 'Chef's Hat Award' and gifts after completing their course. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers who provided free childcare through the course. Thanks also to Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for your support and funding, and to the Hunter Womens Centre for providing the venue.
://www.facebook.com/NewcastlePermanent/
://www.facebook.com/hunterwomenscentre/

14/04/2026

Would you like to learn to cook, easy, cheap and tasty meals for you and your children.
Join us for a free 6 week cooking group. We'll provide everything, including free childcare by our wonderful trained volunteers. Call for more info.👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

19/03/2026

Here's our lovely group of mums and bubs who are attending our Friendship on a Plate - Connection and Cooking Group. We're having a great time, learning new recipes, easy hints and tips, getting to know each other and having fun!
Thanks so much to Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for all your support with this project, and to Hunter Womens Centre for partnering with us for the first 3 groups.
Our next group will run from 20th May to 24th June at The Place, Charlestown Square. If you'd like to be included, just get in touch. Dad's welcome too.
://www.facebook.com/NewcastlePermanent/
://www.facebook.com/hunterwomenscentre/

18/03/2026

A must read:
Sheri Foster, our coordinator of Kempsey-Macleay Home Start first met Liam when he was 8 years old and his parents asked if he could join the community reading group to help improve his reading. At that first meeting Sheri asked Liam what he wanted to be when he grew up and his answer was, an astronaut. Here he is rubbing shoulders with Captain Barry Wilmore, a retired US army astronaut. Liam is now in Year 6 and is still a valued member of the community reading group encouraging other children to read books.

17/02/2026

Thanks very much to Inger Rice Foundation for a grant to support our Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Volunteer Home Visiting Program. We'll be able to train more volunteers and help lots more families with little ones over the next few years.
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The Inger Rice Foundation aims to promote the health, well-being and development of young children. The Inger Rice Foundation funds not-for-profit organisations whose programs support relationships between young children and their families and carers.

05/02/2026

When we focus on our phone instead of our child, their brain thinks we are gone! Physical closeness isn't the same as connection. Our child’s brain relies on facial cues, eye contact, and quick responses like a smile. When these signals disappear, they learn to expect unpredictability and become anxious.
Children may respond by acting out, withdrawing, or constantly seeking attention. These behaviors are attempts to restore connection with us and feel safe again.
Let's commit to less phone time 😁📞📵

27/01/2026

There's still a couple of places available for mums in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area/Port Stephens/Lower Hunter areas to register for Friendship on a Plate - Cooking and Connection Group. We'll have fun, learn to cook basic, healthy recipes for kids and adults, and have lunch together once a week. Free child care provided by our wonderful volunteers. For more info get in touch with Val 0414547781.
Thanks to our funders and supporters
://www.newcastlepermanent.com.au/charitable-foundation
://www.facebook.com/hunterwomenscentre/

20/01/2026

If you have kids going to school this year in Newcastle or Lake Macquarie areas, we may be able to help out. We’ve had some great school goodies donated to share with families, including:

🎒 Backpacks
✏️ Pencil cases filled with stationery
📚 Library bags
Please give Kat a call on 0456 625807 if you'd like to arrange pick up.