Newsletter - Issue 11 - June 2022

Our News

As we come to the end of our first full year of operating Pop In, I thought it timely to reflect on the last 12 months and in particular why we exist - to work with women and their children in the Southern Highlands experiencing domestic violence, abuse and coercive control navigate a future on their terms. 
 

Throughout our first year, Pop In has:

• Supported more than 170 women and their children, either in person at the Pop In cottage or via phone or video conference during COVID-19.

• Developed and implemented a Play and Chat program.

• Implemented a full program of Black Box Parenting.

• Recruited a strong, skilled, focused and engaged specialist team who walk beside women and their children, no matter how long or complex their journey.

• Trained a team of passionate volunteers, who do everything from sweeping the floor to organising special Play and Chat morning teas and fundraising events.

• Built community awareness through fundraising events, partner programs and targeted marketing activity.

• Engaged the University of Wollongong to complete a 2-year evaluation.

We look forward to working with our Pop In community for many years to come, to continue to support the 1,000 local women and children who experience domestic violence, abuse and coercive control.

Ways to support

Pop In could not keep its doors open without the generous support from our Southern Highlands community. As we approach the end of the financial year, now is the perfect time to make a tax-free donation to help women and their children navigate a life away from domestic violence and abuse.

Vicki Kelley,
Chair

Our Results

Rebecca* arrived at the Pop In door seeking assistance on how to leave the marital home and DV relationship. Rebecca shared how she came to hear about Pop In. A woman who she didn’t know well, but who she nodded to as she walked her dog, had seen Rebecca in her driveway, clearly upset. She passed Rebecca one of Pop In's cards, and simply said, 'You might like to give these people a call.'

Rebecca could only surmise that this woman had observed the unfolding situation and had made a choice to support her in a safe and empowering way.

Rebecca said that, when she arrived at Pop In for the first time, it felt like she was getting a huge hug from her sisters!

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Rebecca. And thank you to our community for offering Pop In as a safe, supportive network.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Our People

Kate Facey and Lucy Lugton

Kate Facey and Lucy Lugton have recently joined the Pop In team as fundraising, marketing and event specialists.

Kate (left) rejoins the workforce with Pop In after an extended period at home raising her two children - she is thrilled to be joining the team. Prior to having her family, Kate spent 20 years working in the entertainment industry across film, television and theatre, primarily in production and publicity capacities. The role of National Publicist for the NSW Variety Club Bash saw Kate work with rural communities across Australia and gave her a passion for helping people in a meaningful way after she saw first-hand what is possible through hard work, commitment and community support.

Specialising in fundraising events, Kate is excited to support the work of Pop In, and to build deeper roots in her adopted home in the beautiful Southern Highlands.

If you or your business would like to enquire about holding a fundraising event on behalf of Pop In, please get in touch with Kate.

Lucy (right) brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, most recently concentrating her work within the for-purpose industry, across arts and culture at the Australian Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia and charity organisation Mission Australia.

Lucy moved to the Southern Highlands three years ago from inner-city Sydney, where she lived most of her life; here, Lucy saw close-up the devastating impact domestic violence can have on a community. Lucy is excited to be part of the Pop In team and is looking forward to building awareness of Pop In's purpose and raising much-needed funds to help women and their children navigate a life away from domestic violence and abuse.

If you or your business would like to make a tax-free, end-of-financial-year donation, please get in touch with Lucy.

Our Partners

As we draw to the end of our first financial year in operation, Pop In would like to thank all our partners, who donated funds, their time, effort and service; without their support we would not have been able to help the 170 local women and children who came through the Pop In door. 
 
In particular, the Bowral District Children Foundation and the Rotary Club of Bowral and Mittagong have been major contributors to the development of our successful mothers and children program. We have also received fabulous support from Waratah Building Service, the Evening Mittagong CWA Club, Inner-Wheel, OzHarvest and Banter Group, just to name a few.

Thank you, all large and small. We could not exist without your support and commitment to address domestic violence and abuse in the Southern Highlands.

If you would like to contribute and make a change to the women and children of Pop In, please click the button below.