A very Christmassy Child & Parent Day at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre was a joy for all! The sun peeked out from behind the clouds as four mums eagerly awaited their children for this special visit.
When the group of seven kids came through the doors, they ran straight into their mums’ arms, with hugs all around.
Child & Parent Days are extended, child-friendly visits with activities and support provided by SHINE for Kids. These days give children the rare chance to spend quality time with their parent, building stronger relationships, creating happy memories, and supporting children’s wellbeing during a very tough time.
Lots of treats were on offer, with candy canes, lollies, burgers, juice and ice blocks, it was Christmas after all!
The mums and kids got straight into the activities, with playdough, board games, Duplo and sports gear on offer.
Christmas crafts were also popular, with mums and kids creating beautiful baubles, painted gingerbread kits and bracelets. These little keepsakes are cherished by the children, who take them home as a piece of mum to hold onto.
Every family enjoyed the freedom to spend the time their own way, and the range of age-appropriate activities kept everyone happy.
One mum was especially grateful to spend time with her five-month-old baby boy. It’s been incredibly hard for her to be apart from him, and she cherished every moment, playing, feeding him and rocking him to sleep.
Another mum and her two teenage sons, aged 15 and 17, got straight into sport together, bonding over games of cricket, soccer and touch football. Another family made the rounds, trying a little bit of everything and laughing together, while one mum spent calm time in the shade of a tree with her six-year-old, making playdough and pretending to be dinosaurs.
Of course, no Christmas celebration is complete without a visit from Santa. When he appeared with gifts for the children, excitement filled the room. One little boy turned to his mum and exclaimed, “Thank you, Mummy and Santa, for my fast cars!”
Due to illness, one family was unable to attend, but our team reassured a disappointed mum that her thoughtful Christmas presents would still be delivered to her sons that day, so they would know they are loved and thought of. While it couldn’t make up for missing her children, it’s these small moments that bring hope.
The day was a big success, with lovely feedback including:
“This is an amazing program. I’ll make sure I go back to the office to spread the word of the amazing programs SHINE do.” – Carer
“Mum said thank you and it was much appreciated, as the children will still be receiving a gift from her.” – Carer
“Thank you so much today. It will definitely allow for deeper connection between our grandkids and their mother.” – Carer
“This definitely ticked my box today—especially after a year. I loved this so much.” – Mum in custody
A huge thank you to the centre for the lovely feedback and for helping to organise gifts, Santa and food for the day.
Our team said, “Everyone was in the Christmas spirit! The event had a positive impact, creating a welcoming and festive environment and promoting enjoyment and engagement among the children and their mothers.”
Learn more about our programs.
When a parent is taken into custody, a child’s world can change overnight. When this happened to Sally*, Year 4 became a year of uncertainty, and new responsibilities. But with support from […]
“The boys told their mum it was the best day. She said they haven’t stopped talking about it since!” Child & Parent Days are a highlight for families with a dad […]
Young people in custody discovered the joy of cooking while building confidence during a hands-on class with SHINE for Kids and inaugural MasterChef Australia winner Julie Goodwin. This new program is […]