Experience the MyTime program – a place for support and connection
MyTime is a peer support program for parents and caregivers of children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition to come together, take some time for yourself and connect with other parents and caregivers.
In the north-east of Victoria, we are incredibly fortunate to have Trish, our dedicated facilitator, and Shannon, the talented play leader, who together form an amazing team. They successfully run four regional MyTime programs in Wangaratta, Seymour, Shepparton and Cobram.
Both Trish and Shannon are deeply committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment, and it’s clear from the feedback we receive that our members truly appreciate this. Many share how much they look forward to these sessions, where they get to carve out special time for themselves.
Building strong relationships with service providers and local community organisations has also been an essential part of the MyTime experience. By having a visible presence and becoming familiar faces, we’ve been able to establish a rapport with our members, making them feel comfortable reaching out for support. The relaxed atmosphere provides the perfect space to share resources, offer valuable information and build connections.
Shannon has an incredible ability to connect with the children who attend MyTime, which gives our members the peace of mind to relax, knowing their kids are in great hands. Shannon’s ability to entertain and educate the children at the same time is a real gift.
While MyTime provides a space for sharing important information and discussing more serious topics, we also prioritise ensuring that our members leave feeling lighter, empowered and supported. We make sure to include some light-hearted activities, like the game Pick Your Poison, where participants choose the ‘less bad’ option from two challenging scenarios, often leading to fun, unexpected conversations and plenty of laughter.
A key theme in My Time is helping carers recognise the importance of prioritising their own wellbeing to better care for their families. We also emphasise that reaching out for help is a strength, not a weakness. Recently, during a Roll the Dice game, one of our members shared the message, “I am grateful that I got to come to MyTime today,” and that feedback speaks volumes about the positive impact we’re making.
Through collaboration and sharing ideas, Trish and Shannon have developed and delivered high-quality, fun and resourceful programs that have seen real growth and progress across the board. The positive feedback we receive reflects this, and we couldn’t be prouder of the team. We are excited to continue supporting our MyTime members, strengthening connections and building on the wonderful foundation we’ve already established.
We warmly invite you to come and experience the MyTime program for yourself, where you can connect with other carers, find support, and take some time for yourself in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The north-east Victoria MyTime sessions are listed below, but you can find the group in your area at the MyTime page.
Wangaratta
Wangaratta Children’s Centre
1 Handley St, Wangaratta
Fridays (fortnightly) 12 to 2pm
Seymour
Seymour Family & Children’s Centre
29 Stewart St, Seymour
Mondays (fortnightly) 11am to 1pm
Shepparton
Inspired Carers
36-38 Packham St, Shepparton
Thursdays (fortnightly) 11:30am to 1:30pm
Cobram
Cobram Community House
43 Punt Rd, Cobram
Mondays (fortnightly) 12 to 2pm