This week marked National Child Protection Week, an opportunity for everyone in the community to consider how we can work together to keep all children safe.

The initiative’s motto for this year, Stronger Communities, Safer Children, reflects the importance of building strong communities and environments, to keep children protected and help them thrive.

Northern Health’s social work team organised a cake stall in recognition, with the aim to donate all proceeds to Big Group Hug.

Big Group Hug, a volunteer-driven not-for-profit organisation based in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, provides support to vulnerable families with children aged 0-12 experiencing situational hardship or disadvantage that have been referred by maternal and child health nurses or other social sector agencies.

Creative bakers from our social work team successfully raised $380 for the cause.

Juan Alhucema, Social Work Clinical Leader – Acute, said “the social work department is happy to have strengthened our connection with this valuable community organisation.”

Angela Wood, Big Group Hug Director, said they don’t take this effort and show of support lightly, especially at a time when they have been working so hard to expand their network.

“We are truly overwhelmed that you and the team would go to such effort to support us. We know just how much you all already do for your families, so to go an extra step and help us is mind blowing,” she said.

It’s important to remember, we all have a role to play in protecting children from harm.