Join a Focus Group - EOI Open

Your opportunity to shape meaningful, woman-centred change in maternity care.

The Every Week Counts program will soon conduct two Consumer Focus Groups centring around ‘Gestational Diabetes’ and ‘Pre-eclampsia screening during pregnancy’ and we need your help in spreading the word.

We are seeking interested participants from all over Australia that fall into the following groups:

- People who have experienced gestational diabetes

- People who have experienced pre-eclampsia

- People with a complication free pregnancy.

The meetings will take place online and those selected to participate will receive an honorarium for their time.

We invite anyone interested in participating to complete an Expression of Interest which can be found here: https://everyweekcounts.com.au/get-involved/

These focus groups will provide an opportunity to share perspectives and help shape the direction, design and delivery of initiatives aimed at safely reducing preterm and early term birth.

Every Week Counts

Many of you already understand the importance of Every Week Counting in your pregnancy, but not everyone who is pregnant does. Be a change maker by sharing this important resource, the Every Week Counts magazine, with your friends, family and wider network.

Raising awareness of the critical issue of premature and early term birth is essential. Together we can drive real change!

ABREAST Conference 2025

We are thrilled to be heading along to the ABREAST Conference for 2025 and can't wait to hear from Dr Alison Soerensen who will be reflecting on her experience as a Mum to a premature baby.

Dr Soerensen is a locally trained GP at Murray Medical Centre in Mandurah, WA, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Her extensive qualifications include a Diploma of Breastfeeding Management and a Diploma of Child Health, with special interests in women’s health, paediatrics, infant sleep, and breastfeeding medicine.

Her session will highlight:

Reflections on Parenting and Breastfeeding a Hospitalised Preterm Infant as both a clinician and a mother of four, Dr Soerensen will share her personal journey of parenting and breastfeeding a preterm infant in NICU. She will reflect on the critical role healthcare teams play in supporting the parent-child relationship during this challenging time, offering attendees invaluable insights into the lifelong impact of their care.

📅 Don’t miss this heartfelt and thought-provoking session at the ABREAST Conference on 14th August 2025!

👉 Register now: https://www.abreast.network/abreast-2025

Strong Starts for Tiny Sparks: Sensory Sparks

Sensory Sparks: Igniting your Child's Exploration of the World
A practical and informative webinar to help families support their child’s sensory development through everyday experiences.

  • Understand the sensory system and how children process sensory information in different ways

  • Discover how sensory play supports development, learning, and regulation

  • Learn practical strategies to build meaningful sensory experiences into daily routines and support your child’s unique preferences

Presented by Staci Grant (Early Intervention Occupational Therapist) from Western Kids Health.

⏰ 1pm

📆 24 June

Consumer Representative Opportunities

Some of the hospitals that we work with are seeking Consumer Representatives to join their projects. If you are keen and meet their recruitment criteria please send an email to chair@tinysparkswa.org.au and we can connect you with the right team to send an official expression of interest.

BUNBURY HOSPITAL

Looking for a consumer with a lived experience of preterm birth. This project relates to the National Preterm Birth Prevention Program.

JOONDALUP HOSPITAL

Looking for a consumer who had a baby admitted to their Neonatal Unit. This project relates to delayed cord clamping.

BENTLY MIDWIFERY BIRTH CENTRE

Looking for a consumer who birthed their baby at Bently Hospital before or after the redevelopment. This project relates to the National Preterm Birth Prevention Program.

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

Each of the project teams will have their own specific requirements however generally you might be asked to attend meetings at the hospital. To share your thoughts and ideas on information provided to families, to provide suggestions on how to improve that information so that it is accessible to a wide audience and includes everything families may like to know. You should be comfortable sharing your opinion in a group setting. You should be able to work as part of a team. Have good listening and communication skills.