Charity funds first aid for young mums in Shepparton

The Sisterhood Project has received a grant of $8,500 from National Australia Bank (NAB) for its pilot program for young mothers in Shepparton, Victoria.

The Sisterhood Project is a registered charity, started by two sisters Grace and Skye Larson, that funds first aid education for parents and carers that can’t otherwise afford it or access it.

The first pilot program will be with young mothers through The Bridge Youth Service, teaching vital skills such as CPR, identifying respiratory illness and choking first aid.

Skye Larson, co-founder of The Sisterhood Project, said that she and her sister grew up in Shepparton and wanted to start by helping parents and carers in their hometown.

“We are so grateful to the NAB for this grant so we can begin this work that is so important to us. We understand the community in Shepparton and know how strong the need is for the services we are offering,” Skye said.

The Sisterhood Project aims to improve identification of serious respiratory illness and increase its survival rates, but also wants to increase the survival of children who experience preventable accidents or injuries.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, children from lower socioeconomic areas are twice as likely to die from preventable accidents and injuries and three times more likely in rural and remote areas. Respiratory illness, such as Asthma, is also more prevalent in children in socioeconomic areas.

Melinda Lawley, CEO of The Bridge Youth Service said they are very grateful to The Sisterhood Project for supporting these young mothers with life-saving education.

“Providing this education to our young mothers will help empower them to make the right decisions for their children in an emergency and give them confidence in their abilities as parents,” Lawley said.

The Sisterhood Project is not only funding the courses, but also working with specialist education providers to tailor them to make them easier to digest and take part in.

“For the Bridge Youth Service we are providing shorter format courses and using non-technical language. For other groups we will offer courses in another language or translators and culturally sensitive courses,” Skye said.