A CAROLINE Springs support group has come to the rescue of parents and carers who were left stranded after a popular respite group closed its doors.
ICare Special Needs Group is welcoming parents who were members of the former MyTime group in Hillside after it was forced to cancel its weekly sessions.
Run by Tweedle, MyTime provided parents, grandparents and anyone caring for a child from birth to any school age with a disability or chronic medical condition with an opportunity to unwind, connect and share ideas with others in a similar situation.
ICare Special Needs Group president Pepsi Gulen said when a closure like this occurred, many families were left wondering where they could receive assistance.
Ms Gulen said iCare was committed to accommodate as many families as possible and offered a similar program to MyTime with a focus on inclusion and equality of children and young adults with disabilities and their families.
Ms Gulen said the group focused on enriching lives and empowering children and families to achieve lifelong success.
“We’re very keen to offer carers as many services as we can and show them there is life beyond the diagnosis,” she said.
She encouraged parents who attended MyTime sessions to attend her support group, but said it was important they did so in their own time.
“Everyone tries to encourage people very gently to come to a support group.
“Just come and see how you feel. There is no obligation (to return).
“I remember my journey when I first started (attending a support group). I was very scared, but parents are full of empathy and compassion. I’m very confident that when people come for the first time, they will come again.”
ICare Special Needs Group meets every Friday from 10am to noon at the Springside Community Pavilion in Caroline Springs.
MyTime sessions are still being held in neigbouring suburbs throughout Melbourne’s West.
