About the event

Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by creative coordinator Gerry Silk and representatives from Very Special Kids and Red Nose.

Creating Memories is run jointly by Very Special Kids and Red Nose and is a safe and informal space for parents to spend time with others in a similar situation. Scrapbooking is a unique way to preserve and enhance your valuable keepsakes, whether they are photos or memorabilia. Please bring your special photos and we will provide the tools and materials to create your pages.

A light lunch is provided, and we can provide childminding by one of our volunteers, providing you let us know in advance. The final Creating Memories session for 2025 will run on  Thursday 4 December.

Please RSVP here. For more information, please contact Justine on jrice@vsk.org.au or 0417 151 096.

NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Jenn (jgavito@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The final Online Bereaved Parent Support Group session for 2025 will be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on Thursday 20 November.

NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids

About the event

This year, rain, hail or shine, Very Special Kids invites our community of bereaved families to ‘Walk to Remember’, including extended family. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together to remember your child and share in a delicious afternoon tea.

Families can bring a photo, memento, wear a special colour or item of clothing in honour of their child/ren. During afternoon tea, we will have a small reflection space where you can place your special items on a table for the afternoon. You will also  have the chance to participate in nature-oriented craft. Please bring some greenery or nature items from your home to contribute to the reflection space.

Location:

• Walk – Malvern Gardens – 1275-1277 High Street, Malvern
• Afternoon tea – Very Special Kids, 321 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Please RSVP by Friday 3 October here. 

For any enquiries please contact Bonita Ralph on bralph@vsk.org.au/0455 202 065 or Damienne Mor on dmor@vsk.org.au/0487 523 155. Please note, pets are unable to attend (assistance and service animals excluded).

We invite you to contribute to our digital photo reflection. You can contribute a photo whether you are attending or not. Please send a single high-resolution photo to dmor@vsk.org.au before Sunday 5 October.

NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Jenn (jgavito@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The Online Bereaved Parent Support Group will also be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on:

• Thursday 16 October
• Thursday 20 November

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Join us for a very special day of lawn bowls and family fun!

Pakenham Bowls Club have been fantastic supporters of Very Special Kids for many years and have generously offered Very Special Kids families the chance to enjoy a day of lawn bowls at their beautiful club.

Children of all abilities will have the opportunity to participate. There will be plenty of fun, a BBQ lunch, a drumming incursion and face painting plus a chance to connect with other Very Special Kids families. Please note, there is no hoist or large changing trolley on site, however, a disability access toilet will be available.

For more information and to register your attendance please contact Karen at Pakenham Bowls Club at karenoosthuizen@msn.com by Friday 10 October. Please include the name of your registered child, the number of adults and children attending, as well as any dietary requirements.

Family support practitioner Jodie is also contactable on jvigenser@vsk.org.au or 0419 773 294.

NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to children and families supported by Very Special Kids

About the event

Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by creative coordinator Gerry Silk and representatives from Very Special Kids and Red Nose.

Creating Memories is run jointly by Very Special Kids and Red Nose and is a safe and informal space for parents to spend time with others in a similar situation. Scrapbooking is a unique way to preserve and enhance your valuable keepsakes, whether they are photos or memorabilia. Please bring your special photos and we will provide the tools and materials to create your pages.

A light lunch is provided, and we can provide childminding by one of our volunteers, providing you let us know in advance. Creating Memories will run on the following dates:

• Thursday 9 October
• Thursday 4 December

Please RSVP here. For more information, please contact Justine on jrice@vsk.org.au or 0417 151 096.

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

To express your interest in attending, please click here.

If you have any queries, please contact Andrew (amartell@vsk.org.au or 0417 543 514) or Jenn (jgavito@vsk.org.au or 0487 523 666).

*Please note, completing the expression of interest form does not guarantee your family a place on camp. We will be contacting families who have been provided a place by early August. If you are not offered a space, you will be placed on our waitlist and a waitlist confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided.

NOTE – this is a private event for children and  families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by creative coordinator Gerry Silk and representatives from Very Special Kids and Red Nose.

Creating Memories is run jointly by Very Special Kids and Red Nose and is a safe and informal space for parents to spend time with others in a similar situation. Scrapbooking is a unique way to preserve and enhance your valuable keepsakes, whether they are photos or memorabilia. Please bring your special photos and we will provide the tools and materials to create your pages.

A light lunch is provided, and we can provide childminding by one of our volunteers, providing you let us know in advance. Creating Memories will run on the following dates:

• Thursday 7 August
• Thursday 9 October
• Thursday 4 December

Please RSVP here. For more information, please contact Justine on jrice@vsk.org.au or 0417 151 096.

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Jenn (jgavito@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The Online Bereaved Parent Support Group will also be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on:

• Thursday 28 August
• Thursday 16 October
• Thursday 20 November

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

This gentle retreat is for bereaved parents and carers supported by Very Special Kids. Over the weekend, the retreat offers a safe, nurturing space to honour your child, share memories, and explore grief – at your own pace and comfort level.

Parents are invited to take part in facilitated therapeutic activities and conversations, spend quiet time in nature and join remembrance rituals. Whether you attend as a single parent, as a couple, or individually within a couple, the weekend is designed to meet you where you are in your grief.

A past participant shared, “I would describe it as an amazing weekend of nurturing, sharing, grieving and connecting with other bereaved parents”.

The weekend will include:

• Shared meals
• Therapeutic activities
• Massage, sound and movement
• A safe, supported environment to remember and honour your child

There is no cost for families to attend. Accommodation at The Oxford, meals and activities are all provided.

Expressions of interest have now closed. For more information, please contact Justine (jrice@vsk.org.au/0417 151 096) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au/0408 910 878).

NOTE – this is a private event for bereaved families supported by Very Special Kids.