KU Bradfield Park supports families with children in NICU

The children, families and staff at KU Bradfield Park Children’s Centre have recently donated food supplies to families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Over the last three years the centre has supported the ‘NICU Food from the Heart’ program by providing food to parents to ensure they stay healthy and well as they spend days, months and even up to a year caring for their premature and sick babies in hospital.

“Each year our centre community comes together and generously donates supplies to families during what can be a very stressful and exhausting time in their lives,” said KU Bradfield Park Director, Kamila Jendykiewicz.

“Through the support of our families and staff at the end of last year, we are very proud to have donated enough supplies to keep the families involved going for another three months.”

“At KU Bradfield Park, we have a community like no other and the spirit and joy of giving is huge. We’re aiming to get other local preschools involved in the program and hopefully we can all make a difference to the lives of others together.”

By taking part in the program, the staff at KU Bradfield Park learnt that two children at the centre had been in NICU, while the initiative has also provided educational opportunities for the children.

Each year Michelle Barry, Co-Founder of ‘NICU Food from the Heart’, visits the centre with premature baby dolls, talking to the children about vulnerable babies and their families.

“By taking part in the program, the children have learnt a lot about vulnerable babies and families and the importance of giving to others. The experience has fostered a greater sense of community, empathy and compassion in the children,” said Kamilla.

“Supporting the Food from the Heart initiative has become an increasingly special part of our program and has been, and will continue to be, a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

For more information visit ‘NICU Food from the Heart’ program.