A passionate disability advocate and fierce collaborator of co-led and co-designed experiences, Jill is one of our MyTime Facilitators. Her caring nature, commitment to kindness, and ability to actively listen is evident in the sessions she facilitates and the parents she supports.
Jill’s presence each week is a source of comfort and connection for the parents.
“I think our parents and carers are the experts in their own lives, I see my role as helping to build connections and create a safe space where they can just relax and be themselves,” Jill shares.
“I really do just try to make little links and small connections, meaningful moments that demonstrate I am listening, I truly care and am here for our community,” Jill said.
Jill uses these moments to shape experiences that reflect the group’s needs and interests. Whether it’s inviting guest speakers on topics relevant to what the group is going through, self-care and craft activities, Jill ensures each session is tailored to what matters most to the group.
Some examples of these activities for the online group include a gift packs containing paint by numbers, button flowers, bird seed hangers, jewellery making, Lego flowers and much more.
For the in-person sessions groups will often go out into the community and enjoy nature, coffee and catch ups at local cafes, pedicures, lunches and lots of crafts.
“MyTime is about having some people in your corner and not travelling this journey alone. It can be a lonely time for some parents, and we might not be able to solve everything but sometimes just forging those little connections can lead to amazing things.”
Jill also highlights the reciprocal nature of the group.
“It works both ways too, sometimes members in the group might need help, but they also find value in giving help too.”
MyTime offers parents a chance to unwind, share ideas, and connect with others who understand. The groups support parents and carers of children with disability, chronic illness, or developmental concerns as part of the MyTime program.
Jill notes that while members come from diverse backgrounds and their children have different needs, the common thread is the importance of prioritising parent health and wellbeing.
“MyTime is unique because as your children grow older, the focus shifts from their immediate needs to what you may need and trying to carve that space for yourself for some downtime or time to focus on yourself and this is a commitment to that,” she said.
Jill finds the parents sharing the online space are often ready for connection and friendship, and in the right headspace to focus on themselves, something she believes is vital for caregiver mental health.
“By the time your children reach primary school age, you realise you’re in it for the long game. A critical part of that is having a game plan for yourself and looking after your own wellbeing.”
“MyTime groups can help parents find friendship, connection, self-care, safety, find fun and having a laugh. It’s also a wonderful weekly check-in with a safe group of people who get it.”
“Everyone who joins is incredibly supportive, and the groups offer a lovely experience for parents and carers seeking connection with others going through similar situations.”
Jill said the MyTime role was recommended to her by a Play Matters staff member on the completion of her Human Services Degree and previous work in the disability space and she has never looked back.
Play Matters is lucky to have Jill join us as the MyTime Online facilitator on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30pm and in person group at Kuraby fortnightly on Fridays from 9:30am to 11:30am.
MyTime is an Australian Government Department of Social Services initiative funded in partnership with the Parenting Research Centre by Play Matters Australia. Our Play Matters facilitators deliver sessions to the following locations:
- Beaudesert
- Beenleigh
- Coomera
- Redbank
- Tarragindi
- Kuraby
- Crestmead
- Mount Ommaney
- Leichardt
- Wynnum
- Southport
- MyTime Online
- Cairns Woree
- Cannonvale
- Richlands
- Currumbin
- Mackay
- Mossman
- Mudgeeraba
- Cairns (supported by Parramatta ECDP)
- Burdekin (supported by Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre)
- Mt Isa (supported by Mt Isa special school)
Other regions can be found here: Find groups closest to you - MyTime
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