Women’s group swings with joy

A new playground funded by Southern Ports will be installed at Harmonee House to facilitate a women’s group for mothers requiring mental health support or those who have children with disabilities.

The fenced playground which will include a large round swing, climbing frame and wall, ladder, telescope and slide will be a first for Harmonee House which has been in operation for more than 15 years.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said that he is proud to see Southern Ports’ Community Investment Program delivering support to critical services like Esperance Bay of Isles Community Outreach.

“Community outreach services are integral in our regions, so to be able to provide a new playground for Harmonee House to help deliver a service which has the potential to change the lives of many Esperance families is tremendous,” said Mr Wilks.

“We established our Community Investment Program to make a positive impact on the communities we operate in – and this playground will certainly make an impact on countless young children and their mothers.”

Esperance Bay of Isles Community Outreach Service Delivery Coordinator Cheryl Hoffman said the group was overjoyed to see this project come to life thanks to the support of Southern Ports.

“I’ve been trying to work out a way to make this project happen over the past six months, so for Southern Ports to come on board to support us is incredible,” said Ms Hoffman.

“We often find that there are a lot of mothers who don’t feel comfortable in the usual mothers’ group type settings, especially if their child has a disability or if they are experiencing some mental health challenges themselves.”

“Having a new playground will open the door to supporting a variety of women and their children – either in small groups or one-or-one.”

Harmonee House run by Esperance Bay of Isles Community Outreach is a self-funded and self-maintained NDIS program that priorities social inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

The service which is open three days per week already offers various activities such as healthy cooking, art therapy games/movies days and other individualised activities and will now add a mother’s group to the list.

Esperance Bay of Isles Community Outreach is one of 37 groups to receive a share in more than $100,000 funding as part of Southern Ports’ latest round of community investment funding.

Southern Ports Regional Manager - Port of Esperance Scott Bates with Esperance Bay of Isles Community Outreach Service Delivery Coordinator Cheryl Hoffman on the foundations of where the new playground will be built.