Village of Support: Creating a Welcoming Space for Mums

Thanks to a $1500 grant from the Stand Like Stone Foundation, the sessions were made more accessible by covering admission costs to the playzone area for children. This support helped remove financial barriers and ensured more families could participate.

Survey results from attendees highlight the impact:

• 68% said they would have stayed home if not for the event.
• 50% felt more connected to both the Nurtured Village and the wider community.
• 36% reported stronger ties specifically to the Nurtured Village.

Around 210 mums and over 280 children have attended the sessions.

One standout feature has been the involvement of grandmothers and mum-like figures, whose presence adds intergenerational richness – offering wisdom, comfort and a sense of continuity that benefits both mums and children.

Participants shared heartfelt reflections about why theinitiative was important to them:

“Getting to chat with other mums whilst my son was happyplaying with other kiddos.”
“Seeing my children connecting with others.”
“Meeting new people and seeing the children get along also.”
“Seeing my child talk to other mums was my highlight as he’s such a shy kid soit was wonderful to see.”
“Just want to say thank you for holding these events, it's lonely being a mumespecially a mum who has no friends or family here.”

Venue manager David said it has been fantastic to observethe genuine connections and friendships that formed among the participants as Arena51 regularly welcomed The Nurtured Village group.

“Each session brings warmth, laughter and a strong sense ofcommunity,” he said.

“It’s clear that these gatherings provide much more thanjust support, they create a safe, inclusive environment where mothers can shareexperiences, build confidence, and lift one another up – the sessions alsooffer wonderful opportunities for engagement between mothers and theirchildren, allowing them to connect through play and shared activities in asupportive setting.

“Watching the group grow and seeing the positive energy itbrings into our venue has been truly rewarding and we’re proud to play a smallpart in fostering that sense of belonging."

As a series of now bi-monthly pop-up events, the Villageof Support continues to create meaningful moments of connection and care – remindinglocal mums they are seen, supported and not alone.

The grant was supported through the Stand Like Stone GeneralFund, Friends of Stand Like Stone Community Fund and Limestone Coast Agri-LinksMental Health Fund.

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