Background
Disasters like bushfire can have severe impacts on children and young people's health, wellbeing and development, as well as their caregivers. Community-based interventions that open spaces for play, art, connection and physical activity have been found to help children, youth and families deal with the impacts of disasters.
To support children, youth and families affected by the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires, 54 Reasons (previously known as Save the Children Australia) implemented the Play2Learn and Mobile Youth programs in affected communities across Victoria and New South Wales. Play2Learn is a program that runs free playgroups for children 6 years old and under and their caregivers. Mobile Youth is an outreach program for youth 9- to 14-year-old, where Mobile Youth Vans go to communities that are difficult to access by most services, to offer educational, sports, cultural and recreational activities.
About the project
This qualitative study aims to explore the views of children, young people and caregivers about the Play2Learn and Mobile Youth programs in communities affected by bushfires. More specifically, we aim to explore participants' perspectives on the relevance and timeliness of these services and how these programs may have influenced participants' sense of safety and connection after the bushfires and other disasters that may have affected them (floods, the COVID-19 pandemic).
Investigators
Dr Katitza Marinkovic Chavez (Responsible Researcher; The University of Melbourne); Prof Lisa Gibbs (Investigator; The University of Melbourne); A/Prof Jane Page (Investigator; The University of Melbourne); Sue Leahy (54 Reasons); Julia Mavros (54 Reasons); Gai Campbell (54 Reasons); Claudia Lennon (54 Reasons).
Funders
54 Reasons.
More information
For more information about this project, you contact Dr Katitza Marinkovic Chavez marinkovick@unimelb.edu.au