Give Me Some Space! 

Children with asthma need support to manage their condition and live happy, healthy lives. Give Me Some Space! aims to bring kids and adults together with asthma educators to build strong partnerships and better outcomes for children and families. 

Asthma is one of the most common chronic health conditions in children, with 10% of boys and 6.3% of girls aged 0–14 estimated to be living with the condition. It is one of the most common reasons children present to Emergency Departments and are admitted to hospital. Between 2021 and 2022, 225 children in the Illawarra Shoalhaven were hospitalised each year due to asthma. That’s why Healthy Cities Illawarra is working with Asthma Australia, with support from the Pearl Sheppard Trust, to improve the lives of children with asthma. 

With the right knowledge and understanding, most children’s asthma can be managed safely at home. Knowing how to use the medicines prescribed by your doctor and following your Asthma Action Plan is the key to ensuring children with asthma live happier, healthier lives. Unfortunately, many children with asthma suffer unnecessarily, with uncontrolled asthma symptoms leading to flare ups, Emergency Department visits, and hospitalisations. 

Children with asthma sometimes avoid physical activity and become socially isolated, but with the right medication and understanding, they can stay physically active and enjoy spending time with their peers. We know that incorrect use of prescribed inhalers is one of the reasons that children with asthma suffer unnecessarily with asthma symptoms. There will be plenty of time at the workshop for families to practice their inhaler technique with expert guidance from Asthma Educators. 

This school holidays, Healthy Cities Illawarra is presenting a free workshop for families living with asthma. The workshop will be held at Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre on Thursday 17 April from 10am until 2pm. We have invited local circus facilitators Milk Crate Circus to engage children with asthma and their family members in a day of fun and laughter. While the kids experience the joys of circus, their adults will join a workshop led by skilled nurse educators based at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District’s Community Asthma Service. After the workshop, adult participants will be invited to take part in a consultation session about their experience supporting a child with asthma. We want to understand how families manage asthma, the challenges they face, and what we can do to improve their lives. 

Participating families will receive a free spacer for each child with asthma and a shopping voucher worth $75 for each adult who participates in the workshop and consultation. A delicious morning tea and lunch will also be provided. 

Anyone with questions can contact Alexander Brown, Asthma Programs Coordinator at Healthy Cities Illawarra on 02 4283 8111 or by emailing alexander@healthycities.org.au 

To book your free tickets to the event, visit:

https://events.humanitix.com/give-me-some-space-a-workshop-for-families-living-with-asthma