The Pandanus Program offers support and community to the Territory’s young mums
The Territory’s young mums came together to support one another at the Pandanus Program’s annual Christmas party. Find out how the program supports Top End mothers.
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Young mums are celebrating the festive season and honouring their community spirit with a Christmas party.
Anglicare NT’s Pandanus Program, which hosted the event, offers a six-week antenatal and post-natal education course for mums under the age of 25.
Community Youth Justice Lisa Palamountain said the program was instrumental in supporting the health and wellbeing of young mothers.
“The Pandanus Christmas Party highlighted the community focused approach that Anglicare NT takes bringing services and clients together in an inclusive, safe and supportive environment,” she said.
Pandanus Program case manager Eva Bliss developed a strong connection with participant Elcia Pereira Boavida after the 22-year-old arrived in Australia five months pregnant.
Ms Bliss said her role in the program was the best job in the world.
“I have been in this job for just over two years and I feel very privileged to work with these mums,” she said.
“A lot of them share their stories with me while I am transporting them to their appointments, it is a confidential environment where they can talk openly with me.”
Participant Marcia Richards is currently accessing the program for the second time while she is five months pregnant with her second child.
She said the program gave insight into what to expect during pregnancy and birth.
“It was a whole weight lifted off my shoulders knowing what to expect,” Ms Richards said.
Pandanus and Family Support Service program manager Mardi Tschirpig said the program was critical because a lot of young women did not feel comfortable accessing services where other clients were 10-20 years older than them.
“Hospital can be a bit of a scary place but having our midwives talk them through that makes it a calmer experience,” she said.
“I love the relationship the young women get to build with one another.
“It creates beautiful social connections alongside the work that we do, and each year at the Christmas party we get to see them looking so confident and doing so well.”
The program has been running in the Northern Territory since 2000 and is a collaborative project between Royal Darwin Hospital, Department of Education, Community Midwifery Program, Danila Dilba Health Service, Catholic Care and the YWCA Parenting
Program.
Territory Families, Housing and Communities has funded the program more than $430,000 since 2020 and will provide further funding of $158,400 this financial year.
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