FAIR DAY and Barnardos Australia

A sense of belonging, whether it be to a family or community, is one of the most fundamental factors for a child's well-being and development.?Beyond the scientific literature about social acceptance, we all have personal experiences?of how social connection or rejection?has?shaped our lives. ?

?As children, we develop a mind-map of our social world. Who we are connected to, the people that make us feel safe and the spaces we feel we don’t belong, are all absorbed into our view of the world.

Strong families and communities are fundamental to wellbeing but it’s not something that happens automatically. We need to make conscious choices to build connections across our communities.? For LGBTQI+ people, building a strong community has been vital for the health and wellbeing of countless rainbow families.??

For Barnardos Australia our mission to ensure children reach their full potential is only possible because of a community of people who are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children. Whether it be by becoming a foster or adoptive carer for children who are unable to live safely at home or being a financial supporter of our work to keep families together, we have always welcomed rainbow families.?

This month Barnardos Australia will, once again, be taking part in Mardi Gras FAIR DAY. It’s a great family event that we have been proud to participate in for more than 10 years. If you have ever considered becoming a carer for children who are unable to live safely at home, come and have a chat to our team. This year we are particularly needing short term carers for children while the Children’s Court decides their future - this can take up to a year, and you will be an important part of the Barnardos Australia team working to return a child safely to family or kin. ?

We are looking forward to, once again, celebrating families of all shapes, sizes and colours. Especially rainbow families. Mardi Gras Fair Day is Sunday 16th February at Victoria Park, Camperdown, from 10am to 9pm.?