01/03/2022

Since the northern Newpin centre opened in October 2021, Uniting Communities has successfully reunited 12 children with their families, with a new Newpin centre in Port Adelaide opening for referrals last month to keep even more families safely together.

Newpin is an intensive therapeutic, centre-based program for families with children aged 6 years or under, who are on a temporary care order where reunification has been identified as appropriate. The program is voluntary.

Families participate in a range of activities that promote wellbeing, improve parenting capacity and support the development of effective parenting and family relationships.

Uniting Communities Chief Executive Simon Schrapel said this program is a great way for families to get meaningful support that they need to stay together, while at the same time protecting children who otherwise might be at risk of abuse and neglect.

The first of three Newpin centres opened at Uniting Communities’ northern hub in Smithfield in July. A Port Adelaide Centre opened last month and a centre servicing the southern region is expected to open in the coming months.

The Smithfield centre features a spacious playroom, individual and group therapy rooms, an outdoor play area with a commissioned mural and provides easy access to a range of other co-located Uniting Communities services, including alcohol and other drug support and financial counselling.

The newly opened Port Adelaide Centre is a short walk from essential family services on Dale Street and includes a warehouse, that will be converted into a group space which can be used for activities including cultural activities.

For more information on the services of Uniting Communities, please visit www.unitingcommunities.org