Family stories

Family experiences with Family Wellbeing Services

 

“I have learnt to budget, I was bad at spending, wasting money. When I can, I go to women’s group, come to Family Wellbeing Services, or go to the community centre and talk to someone. It helps.”

“My support worker encourages me, gives me motivation to move forward, she is supportive, I don’t feel judged.”

“I had all these loose threads in my head, now I have a plan.”

“Counselling really helped me, it gives me things to think about and I can realise the consequences of my actions.”

“Family Wellbeing Services set good foundations for the future and moving forward in life. I am improving myself and would like to study and get a good job to look after my family.”

Family Wellbeing Services have helped more than 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Here are some of their stories. Names have been changed to protect their privacy.

  • I feel supported – Sherry's story 

    Sherry is a 24-year-old mother with 4 young children. She had a difficult childhood, with a lot of domestic violence. Her parents were addicted to alcohol and other drugs. Thanks to Family Wellbeing Services, Sherry says, "I can now reach out to people, feel supported and know that I am not on my own."

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  • It is good to yarn with someone outside your family – Kelvin's story

    Kelvin is a single dad with 2 kids aged 5 and 8. When he first contacted Family Wellbeing Services, he was hoping they could help him show the courts he could provide his kids with a good home, but they were able to offer him a lot more support. Life is getting better for Kelvin and his kids.

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  • I am so grateful – Fiona's story 

    Fiona and her teenage son had to flee domestic violence and were placed in a refuge where they experienced a lot of trauma. Fiona found them somewhere to live but it was a struggle to pay rent, bills and put food on the table. Visiting Family Wellbeing Services has helped them.

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  • They got me a bike so I can get out and cool down – Henry and Shelley’s story

    Henry is a 24-year-old Koori man with a strong cultural background and goals of passing lore onto the next generation. He met Shelly, a Murri woman aged 34, they fell in love and she fell pregnant. Due to her alcoholic past, Shelly had anxiety throughout her pregnancy, while Henry had trouble with his anger. Both went to Family Wellbeing Services for help.

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  • Reuniting Larnie and her kids – Larnie's story 

    Larnie has trouble managing day-to-day tasks. She finds it hard to trust people but working with a supportive and non-judgemental worker at Family Wellbeing Services has helped her build a connection with her kids. Larnie hopes she can give them a different life to hers.

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  • Finding new ways to manage – Desleigh's story

    Desleigh is a 33-year-old married mother of 7 living in a remote community. Desleigh has been struggling to feed her 4 children because of her gambling problem. A friend encouraged her to go to her local Family Wellbeing Services and Desleigh now has support with raising her children and a plan in place to get out of debt.

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  • Rebuilding Lara's relationship with her kids – Lara's story 

    Lara is a 24-year-old Aboriginal woman living with her partner, James. She has 3 young children aged 6, 4, and 10 months. Anger issues, drug use and domestic violence meant her children were unable to stay safe at home, so they are in Lara's mum's care. She is working with Family Wellbeing Services to build a relationship with her kids.

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