NDCAS hosts ‘Mums and Bubs’ Luncheon

Narrabri and District Community Aid Service hosted a Mums & Bubs Luncheon on March 6 for Women’s Week in the lead up to International Women’s Day.

The event included guest speaker Jess Swansbra, founder of Buttercup Mums and child and family health nurse. An organisation that aims to help mothers with little ones feel supported and connected.

Jess delivered a wonderful presentation, as she went through the key topics of her program, supplying helpful strategies and advice.

The delicious lunch was created by Relish catering and supplied a range of beautiful salads, meat and nibbly bits that satisfied the mums and their bubs.

It was a lovely time for connection, reassurance and support, which is all vital for women entering motherhood.

Community engagement and communications coordinator Kayla Nehrkorn was very happy with how the event went and the response from local mums.

“Throughout Women’s Week and towards International Women’s Day we see lots of community events for women to attend, but rarely do we see events that are catered to mums and their children,” said Kayla.

“Parents and carers need to be celebrated too. That is why I held this event.

“The purpose of the event was to create a space where it was okay for your children to be babbling in the background or playing and making new friends of their own.

“I wanted parents of our community to be able to enjoy a lovely meal together in an environment that was suited to them,” Kayla said.

Jess Swansbra has created a safe space for women entering this new phase of life with Buttercup Mums. Jess organises face-to-face workshops in Wee Waa as well as online workshops, which involve learning modules and weekly video calls to keep everyone in the loop.

Jess was overjoyed with the amount of involvement from the mums who attended the luncheon, delighted to have educated conversations in further supporting attendees.

“It was lovely to see so many beautiful mums and their little ones there and Kayla from NDCAS did a wonderful job of creating a beautiful event.

“I was so chuffed to be invited to speak at this event. It was a lovely new thing to do as a part of Buttercup Mums and would love to do more events like this. I think they are great for our community,” Jess said.

It is so important to have this information available to mums in rural areas and organisations like Buttercup Mums are doing commendable things for the community in ensuring that mums and families are heard.

“A lot of the time we don’t have as much access to support and services in the bush as in bigger towns or in the city and it can feel quiet isolating.

“So, I hope that the ladies who attended felt the support, connection, encouragement and empowerment that is so important for mums and learnt a little bit to take home too,” Jess said.