Share your Tiny Sparks story

Your story could make all the difference

Every family who is supported by Tiny Sparks has a story. The middle-of-the-night worry, the first proper cuddle, the day you finally walked out of the hospital doors with your baby in your arms. Those moments matter, and so does what happened around them. We are building our evidence base to support future grant applications and impact reports, and the most powerful thing we can share is you.

Numbers tell part of the story. What really lands is a parent describing what a program meant to them, and what it meant for their child. Here's how it works. Share a little of your journey, whether that was a NICU or SCN admission, a high-risk pregnancy, or the road home. Then tell us about one of our programs you used and the difference it made. What did it change for you? What did it make possible for your little one? That's the part that helps us show funders why this work needs to keep going. To get you thinking, here are some of the ways families connect with us:

  • NICU and Bedrest Care Packages, for those first days on the unit or on hospital bedrest

  • Parent Circle, our online coffee and connection sessions

  • Baby and Toddler Playgroup, in person supported by Western Kids Health

  • Fuel vouchers, easing the cost of getting to and from hospital for follow-up

  • Special occasion gifts, marking the moments that deserve celebrating

Perhaps it was a care package that arrived on a day you needed it most. Perhaps Parent Circle became the one hour a week you felt understood. Whatever it was, we would love to hear it. We would love a photo or two to go with your words, so please pop them in when you submit, along with your consent for us to share your story and images in our grant applications, impact reports and promotional materials. As a small thank you for your time, we have some special gifts to pop in the mail.

Ready to share?

Australian Living Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED! 

Australian Living Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

RDS is a breathing condition affecting many babies born prematurely because their lungs are not fully developed. These new Australian Guidelines will bring together the best evidence to support doctors and nurses caring for babies with RDS across the country with the goal of improving outcomes and ensuring more consistent, high-quality care that meets the needs of both babies and their families.

Parents, carers, adults born prematurely and people with diverse community perspectives will join health professionals and researchers on the Guideline Development Group (GDG). Your perspective is essential to making sure these Guidelines work in the real world and truly meet the needs of families.

What’s involved:

• Participating in virtual meetings (eight meetings over 2026–2027, each up to 2 hours)

• Reviewing documents and providing feedback between meetings

• Sharing your experience to help shape guideline recommendations and how they’re put into practice

*Important: Community members on the GDG will be reimbursed for their time and expertise.

More information is available in the Expression of Interest Form.

 

Term 3 playgroup enrolments open

Registrations are now open for Term 3 Parent Circle and Playgroup. We have really enjoyed meeting lots of new families through these programs and especially seeing all of the little ones making beautiful progress. Places are limited so don’t delay in registering. Why not come along with a Neonatal Unit buddy and continue your connection now you’re home. All of the details are in the flyers. Register through our webstore.