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Hello! We're so glad you could join us for. HaiRY PiG presents: Big Steps, Little Steps Young Parents Stories, Survival Tips & More
So why is a HaiRY PiG involved in a book about pregnancy, birth and beyond?
About 2 years ago we started a journey. We had the idea to create a book for young parents by young parents. There were other books around but they were out of print, old and only focused on some areas of the Hunter. So why not create a Hunter Rural Young Parents Guide (HRYPG)? Before we knew it, we had funding, and the HRYPG project was underway! That's when it got it's nickname - HaiRY PiG. It just stuck!
HaiRY PiG: more than just a book
The HaiRY PiG project is more than just the book Big Steps, Little Steps. It's about:
- Hearing the wisdom and honesty of young parents/parents-to-be.
- Noticing and drawing on the expertise and strengths of young parents.
- Recognising the value of local networks of dedicated workers and support services.
- The journey of working together on something important to our local communities.
- Not always knowing where you are going but finding a way together.
- Growing as individuals, groups and communities by finding and building on our strengths.
To make sure that this book was really for and by young parents we involved lots of young parents along the way. We set up an Expert Panel of young parents from the Hunter area. We also had a group of young parent focused services (called the Working Group).
Together these groups did heaps of work and made sure HaiRY PiG was on the right track. Young parents going to groups (like Bubs & Grubs, Yo Yo's, Anna Bay Young Parents Group) and other young parents also got involved by telling their stories and letting us know what they thought. Local services also came along for the ride by giving ideas, providing information, and keeping us on track.
The journey creating this book has been full of Big Steps, Little Steps for all those involved. All the best with the Big Steps, Little Steps of your pregnancy, birth and beyond!
El and Jess
Young Parents Network Social Workers
Hunter New England area Health Service
Who is Big Steps, Little Steps for?
Big Steps, Little Steps is especially designed for young parents and parents-to-be under 25 years. It's not the be-all, end-all guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond, but gives basic information on
- pregnancy
- labour and birth
- babies 0-1 year
- toddlers
- being a parent (including Dad's role in parenting, negotiating workloads, shared-care parenting, postnatal depression, housing, budgeting, work and study, and childcare)
- relationships
- accessing support services
- pregnancy options and decision making
- useful contacts and resources
Focused around moving and insightful stories and survival tips from young parents and parents-to-be, Big Steps, Little Steps provides a real life perspective on the journey into parenthood.
Big Steps, Little Steps is written in 'young parent friendly' language to be both appealing to young parents/parents-to-be and easy to read. It is visually striking, using bold colours and sassy graphics that capture the attitudes of the young parents and parents-to-be who contributed their stories.
What Young Parents/Parents-to-be thought about being involved
The young parents who were involved in the project had plenty of positive things to say about Big Steps, Little Steps:
"It's more appealing for young parents - young parents can relate to it."
"Confidence boosting - this book says 'you can do it' and gives you options."
"It's cool to know we can pass it [experience and knowledge] on."
"Good to let other young parents know there is support out there."
"Shows that young parents have got good skills!"
Requesting copies of the book
Copies of the book are limited, and priority will be given to services working directly with young parents and parents-to-be in the Hunter area.
Multiple copies will need to be collected from your local Young Parents Network Social Worker (Muswellbrook, East Maitland or Cessnock).
Download the expression of interest form  (pdf) 182K and return to:
El Keulemans, YPN Social Worker Maitland/Port Stephens
Fax: 49312002
Email: Eleanor.Keulemans@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 49312000
Mail: 58 Stronach Ave, East Maitland NSW 2323
Download the book
Download a full copy of Big Steps, Little Steps (pdf) 55.9M
*Please note that this is a very large file and may take some time to download. If you do not want to download a full copy of the book, you can download separate chapters below.
Chapters:
Big Steps, Little Steps Family Fun Day and launch
Big Steps, Little Steps book will be launched at a young parents’ Family Fun Day on Friday 25 November and is an opportunity for young parents and parents-to-be under the age of 25 years from all over the Hunter to meet, play with their children and get a copy of ‘Big Steps, Little Steps’. If you are a young parent or parent-to-be under the age of 25 and would enjoy attending the Family Fun Day please email Eleanor.Keulemans@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au for more information or dowload the invitation (pdf) 575K.
Useful Links
www.fpahealth.org.au
www.kids.nsw.gov.au
www.parenting.nsw.gov.au
Service contact details
Young Parents Network Cessnock
Hunter New England Area Health Service
Jessica Grant
Cessnock Community Health Centre
Postal Address: PO Box 154
Cessnock NSW 2325
Address: View Street, Cessnock
Phone: 0249910588
Fax: 0249910584
Email: Jessica.Grant@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Young Parents Network Maitland & Port Stephens
Hunter New England Area Health Service
El Keulemans
East Maitland Community Health Centre
Address: 58 Stronach Avenue
East Maitland NSW 2323
Phone: 0249312000
Fax: 0249312002
Email: Eleanor.Keulemans@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Young Parents Support Worker - Singleton & Upper Hunter
Hunter New England Area Health Service
Michelle Mason
Upper Hunter Community Health
Postal Address: PO Box 120
Muswellbrook NSW 2333
Phone: 0265422083
Fax: 0265422001
Email: Michelle.Mason@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
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