Vital South West parent support group at risk of closure if State Government funding not renewed

The South West’s only not-for-profit parental support group is at risk of closure due to a lack of funding. Radiance Network, a perinatal and postnatal not-for-profit is coming to the end of its million-dollar grant from the McGowan Government on which the group is ‘wholly reliant’ for operation. Radiance Network South West co-ordinator Anne Mackay said it is “more vital than ever” the funding is rolled-over. “It’s just been really apparent to us as an organisation that. . . this funding must continue past June,” she said. “Our services are at capacity thanks to this funding.” Without the services provided by Radiance, new parents would be required to travel to Perth to receive the care they need, pulling them away from their local environment and support network. By introducing this “wrap-around” service, mums now have access to support from pregnancy through to the first years of motherhood and are also connected to other new mums in the area in what Ms MacKay described as “a village of safe”. Local mother Izzie Seccombe has struggled with mental health problems for 15 years and was fearful her pregnancy would exacerbate those problems but has found help with the support of Radiance. “It’s absolutely the difference between me coping and not coping,” she said. “It’s been a really positive experience which I know it had the risk of not being so I’m eternally grateful.” Member for Vasse Libby Mettam agreed the service is imperative and should be backed by the State Government. “As we know one in five women experience some form of perinatal, or postnatal depression,” she said. “This group is a vital early intervention support group to ensure that this important time in mothers and fathers lives is as supportive as possible and it’s essential they get the financial support that they require, so there aren’t additional issues further on. “It’s essential that these mothers get the vital support that they need at a local level and the McGowan government need to ensure that Radiance can continue to provide these vital support to the local community.”