Walking through the gates of The Family Place, it was immediately clear why so many local families feel at home here. Children explored the gardens, parents shared conversations over food and coffee, and music drifted across the recently renovated community space.
Among the celebrations was Play Matters' Sing&Grow program, which has been part of The Family Place community for more than a decade.
For more than a decade, Sing&Grow has been a familiar and much-loved part of life at The Family Place, delivering evidence-based eight-week group music therapy sessions, one on one sessions and special pop-up engagement activities.
Through partnerships like this one, Sing&Grow meets families in places they already know and trust, making it easier for children and parents to access support through the shared experience of music. Delivered within community settings, Sing&Grow works alongside local organisations to create responsive programs that reflect the strengths and needs of each community.
For more than 12 years, The Family Place and Sing&Grow have worked together to support children and families in the Logan region. Over that time, the partnership has become a valued part of the community, helping families build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.
The Family Place provides a welcoming drop in space and community hub for families, offering playgroups, parenting support and access to a range of services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, counselling and family support. Within this environment, Sing&Grow has become a natural extension of the centre's holistic approach.
Michelle Christensen, Family and Young Parents Coordinator at The Family Place said Sing&Grow compliments the early intervention and family support services at the hub.
"This will be the 12th year that the Family Place and Sing&Grow have been working together.”
"If we could, we would have had Sing&Grow every term, and families regularly ask for it if it's a term when we don't have the service on offer."
“From what I have experienced [Sing&Grow] is just a beautiful way of good role modelling, demonstrating good attachment, and a gentle reminder for parents that singing and music are really helpful with social and emotional wellbeing,” Michelle said.
Meeting families where they are
Families who attend The Family Place come from many different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Some are new to the area, some are looking for connection, and others are seeking support for their child's development.
For Kim, Intake and Case Coordinator, one of the strengths of Sing&Grow is its ability to engage a diverse range of families in an accessible and welcoming way.
"We have such a multicultural group," she said. "Some cultures really value that structured group experience and when there are people participating from different backgrounds, music is also a way to bridge language."
"Even when children are playing around the room, as soon as the music starts, they stop and listen," Kim said. "They're paying attention, even if they are not sitting in the circle."
The popularity of the program has grown over the years, with one session attracting an incredible 53 families.
Connection through music
Over the years, Kim has observed how music helps create meaningful moments of connection between parents and children.
"I think music and the beat of the music help people connect," she said. "They're sharing the same experience together."
Favourite Sing&Grow experiences, including drumming, instrument play and the rainbow parachute, create opportunities for shared joy and connection.
"The children love the instruments and love the parachute. Parents seem to come together when the parachute comes out too."
Building confidence and creating lasting impact
Across more than a decade of partnership, Kim has witnessed many examples of developmental growth in children attending Sing&Grow.
Kim said she has observed children who were non-speaking engage in the program and how transformative music can be.
"By the end, these children were speaking really well. They had a deep love of music and that encouraged their language development and confidence."
Senior Clinical Specialist Lisa said guiding and providing the tools for families to strengthen their connection is so rewarding.
"One of the greatest outcomes we see in Sing&Grow is families developing stronger relationships with their children through music," Lisa said.
"It's incredibly rewarding to watch parents grow in confidence as they learn new ways to connect with and respond to their child's needs."
The impact often extends well beyond the eight-week program, as families take songs, routines, Sing&Grow resources and strategies home and incorporate them into everyday life.
Alongside the group sessions, families have also benefited from opportunities for additional one-on-one support with the music therapist when needed, providing another pathway for engagement and early intervention.
Kim believes Sing&Grow offers families more than enjoyable songs and activities.
"It's really good for attachment, really good role modelling for parents and really good for social and emotional wellbeing," she said.
Partnerships that create greater impact
After more than a decade of working together, the partnership between Sing&Grow and The Family Place demonstrates the value of community organisations collaborating to support families in ways that are practical, local and responsive.
The Family Place intentionally brings services together in one safe and familiar location, making it easier for families to access support when they need it.
"Families can use this space however they choose," Michelle said. "They can come for playgroup, connect with other parents, learn about services or simply spend time here. Everything we do is about creating a safe place where families feel welcome."
Michelle believes the longevity of the partnership has been key to its success.
"Families know Sing&Grow, they ask for it and they look forward to it," she said. "Over the years it has become part of the community here."
As Sing&Grow celebrates 25 years of supporting children and families through group music therapy, partnerships like The Family Place demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations share a commitment to connection, early intervention and community. Together, they are helping create places where children can thrive, parents feel supported and families experience the joy of connecting through music.