Parenting Research Centre

MyTime

In 2011-12 we will establish MyTime for Grandparents. This initiative is a federally funded extension of MyTime to support grandparents who are the full-time carers of their grandchildren. Twenty-five groups will be developed nationally to provide support for these carers.

During 2011, PRC also formed a research collaboration with Monash University to investigate the mechanisms underlying peer support groups.

MyTime has also succesfully submitted a systematic review proposal to the Cochrane Collaboration. The review will investigate the quality of the evidence for interventions promoting peer support and identify avenues for future research projects and further development of the program.

MyTime is a national program of facilitated peer support groups for parents and carers of children with a disability or chronic medical condition. It promotes the wellbeing of parents and carers of children with complex needs. The program is nationally coordinated by the Parenting Research Centre.

MyTime groups are run by coalitions of local agencies, supported by the PRC, who provide facilitators to support and resource the groups. Play helpers provide developmentally appropriate activities for children, so that parents and carers can socialise, talk about issues of interest, and support one another.

Visit the MyTime website for more information.