We’re so thrilled to be sharing one of our recent projects, as part of our mission to spread the joy of play through our Pay It Forward and Give Back programs.
We recently had the privilege of donating a sandpit to the Aboriginal Women and Children’s Crisis Service (AWCCS) in Sydney for their children’s play area.
The AWCCS provides a safe and supportive place for women and their children who have experienced domestic and family violence. With a small but mighty team of eight, AWCCS provides culturally sensitive, holistic support to women and children.
The AWCCS can house up to 21 people, typically accommodating 2-3 families at a time. It's not just about providing a roof over their heads – it's about creating a warm, welcoming space where families can feel safe and begin to heal.
The sandpit isn’t just about fun (although there's plenty of that!). It's part of AWCCS's trauma-informed approach to supporting children. Sensory play, like digging in sand, can help kids process their emotions and experiences in a safe, natural way.
"Almost always the children that come through are holding so much and they need a safe space to process that," said Alice Halden, a child support caseworker from AWCCS. "The outdoor play is so crucial to our practice, because they need to have that nervous system regulation."
The team at AWCCS isn't stopping at the sandpit. They're partnering with Habitat for Humanity to add an Indigenous sensory garden. It's all part of their clever use of their "nice big block with a nice big house," making the most of every inch to support the families they serve.
While we can't share photos of the kids playing, the AWCCS have shared pictures of the sandpit after being painted by their amazing handyman. And we’ve heard there are "VERY excited kids in the sand."
"Sand play is an incredible way of processing and healing for kids, and it's become such an integral part of our playtime now we have one!”
How you can help
AWCCS relies on donations and partnerships to supplement their main funding. If you're inspired by their work (and we certainly are!), consider reaching out to see how you can support their mission.
In the meantime, we're thrilled that our small contribution is making such a big impact.