Our stories

Eight months ago, Tracey was referred to SHINE for Kids and began attending our weekly playgroups so that she and her two year old daughter Millie could reconnect.

Millie had been in care since shortly after her birth and Tracey had been taken into custody at the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre.

Both mum and daughter clearly looked forward to their weekly playgroups and time together. Tracey would spend the whole time with Millie, playing with her, laughing with her, chasing her playing tag, blowing bubbles to entertain her. Our SHINE facilitator said that it’s been beautiful to watch the mother and daughter’s bond grow and that Tracey was always attentive to her daughter’s needs.

As their relationship blossomed, Tracey noticed that Millie was showing signs of anxiety such as biting her nails. Tracey was concerned that this was due to her being in care and became determined to work on herself so that she could be in a position to regain full time care of her daughter and be there to support her around the clock.

Tracey signed up for SHINE’s parenting program Keeping Us Together and parenting and cultural mentoring program Keeping Us Strong. She learnt about children’s development, supporting their emotional needs and parenting strategies and demonstrated a great understanding of the content. The programs helped her manage her own stress by using coping exercises and also teach her child how help regulate emotions such as anxiety.

Recently, Child Safety contacted SHINE to ask about the time Tracey and Millie spend together at playgroups and our observations of mum and daughter. SHINE was able to tell them that Tracey had made great progress and built a strong connection with her daughter as well as a support network of mums and facilitators around her at the centre.

Child Safety was satisfied that Mille would be well cared for and happy back with her mum and they now live together at the centre. Millie is no longer showing the signs of anxiety that mum was concerned about and their bond is going from strength to strength as Millie relies on mum and trusts her. It’s beautiful to see them walking off together now after playgroup instead of saying a sad goodbye.

SHINE will continue to support Tracey and Millie now and after Tracey’s release so they can settle back into the community and build a bright future together.