More than 80 members of Canberra’s Indigenous community are enjoying a busy schedule of recreational activities during January as they take part in the KickStart Family Program.
Northside Community Service (NCS) and ACT Policing have formed a partnership to develop and deliver the program which is aimed at strengthening families and communities, in addition to building rapport between local indigenous communities and police.
Through consultation with community members accessing the NCS Community Linkages Program, the need for a holiday program which encouraged the participation of all family members was identified. Similarly, ACT Policing indentified a need for activities to be developed for families, not just programs targeted at youth. As a result of this program, the ACT Policing Indigenous Community Liaison Team is utilising their community partnerships in an effort to prevent crime over a longer and sustainable period of time.
The KickStart Program has been developed to engage the entire family, including extended family visiting over the holiday period.
Each morning, Indigenous families have been actively participating in nutrition workshops, facilitated by Nutrition Australia, followed by inclusive and challenging activities for the entire family. Activities have included ten pin bowling, visiting Questacon and a trip to the Big Splash Water park, just to name a few.
The KickStart Program will run throughout January, with the program culminating in a cultural camp at Wreck Bay and an afternoon at Jamberoo Recreation Park.
For more information please contact Adele Chadwick, Chief Executive Officer, Northside Community Service, on 6163 0424.