Our stories

Thank you to the wonderful South Coast Correctional Centre staff, the Red Cross, and The Sixth Child for coming together to make this visit with Dad extra special!

Staff at the local centre went above and beyond to facilitate our recent ‘Lego Day’ for families.

When they arrived, the children were overjoyed to find a selection of new Lego donated by charity The Sixth Child to choose from.

During the visit, they set about happily building with their dads in custody, sharing this fun activity and bonding time together.

The children could then take home their Lego creations and a cuddly Teddy Bear donated by the Red Cross so they’d have something to remind them of a happy time spent with their missed parent.

“The buzz of excitement and joy experienced by those who participated was undeniable!”

Visiting a correctional centre can be daunting, so the SHINE for Kids team ensures that the experience is child-friendly and positive by providing engaging activities like this one and welcoming spaces for children.

This time together makes it easier for families to maintain vital child-parent relationships while a parent is in custody. It benefits the well-being of children, carers, and parents in custody and helps families be better prepared to settle back into life together when the parent is released.

Close bonds have also been shown to reduce recidivism once a parent is released, with outcomes better across the board when a family unit is supported to stay together and strong.

“The buzz of excitement and joy experienced by those who participated was undeniable!” said our local team member, talking about this day.

“Families were so grateful for the support and an opportunity to participate in these activities directly with their children.”

Lego Day was a clear winner, with one mother making the effort to come up and tell the team as they left, “Wow! Thank you so much!”

Please donate and support our work with families affected by the justice system.