Families in Ashford and surrounding communities have benefited from a grant enabling school holiday activities and practical health support at a time when cost-of-living pressures continue to weigh on regional households.
Pathfinders Inverell Family and Youth Support Service (IFYSS) began the year with a school holiday program and community workshop, funded through a community grant from BEST Community Shed. Ashford Central School and Ashford LALC supported the initiative by providing venues.
The funding allowed IFYSS to run a family-focused holiday program in Ashford, offering children and young people a safe, supervised environment during the break while giving parents an opportunity to connect with other local families. Morning tea and lunch were provided, easing the financial burden for participating households and encouraging attendance in a relaxed setting.
Children took part in water play, sensory activities, cooking, painting and craft, and tie-dyeing. Beyond recreation, organisers said the activities were designed to support motor skills and sensory development while strengthening social ties within the small regional community.
In addition to the holiday program, IFYSS and volunteers from BEST Community Services hosted a free Head Lice Check and Treatment Workshop, also funded by the grant. Treatment kits were donated by Big W Inverell. The workshop offered free checks, treatment, and information in what organisers described as a safe, judgement-free environment, helping families prepare children for the return to school.
IFYSS Coordinator Liesel Taber said the initiative had made a tangible difference for local families.
“Pathfinders is incredibly grateful to BEST Community Shed for their generous grant, which allowed us to deliver these programs for families in Ashford and the surrounding area. It’s wonderful to see children engaged in positive activities and parents feeling supported.”
“In regional communities like ours, partnerships like this can go a long way in delivering much-needed support to families across our shire,” she said.
Following positive feedback, IFYSS plans to continue offering workshops and family programs throughout the year, with a focus on improving education outcomes and strengthening family wellbeing across Inverell Shire.
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