By Casey Neill
From bike repair to Aussie parenting – Wellsprings for Women has it covered.
The Dandenong support service partnered with Good Cycles to provide free bike classes for six weeks from Thursday 19 October.
Participants will receive one of Good Cycles’ refurbished donation bikes to keep at the end of the program.
“Most of us have learned how to ride a bike when we were young,” Wellsprings CEO Dallal Smiley said.
“We easily take it for granted but for these women it doesn’t go without saying.”
Bike care is a vital part of the program, with participants learning how to fix tyres, strip parts and repair their bicycles.
“It is so rewarding to see them grow with every new piece of knowledge they gain,” Dr Smiley said.
“This bike maintenance program is extending women in a different direction – and they’re feeling empowered by it.
Valerie from Noble Park said she was taking part so she could help her kids with their bikes.
“I’m doing it more for confidence-building and to socialise with other women,” she said.
Ellaha, from Officer, and Springvale resident Dipdi were trying to fix a bike’s front brake when the Journal stopped by.
“I know how to ride a bike. I just want to be able to fix it,” Ellaha said.
“It’s an extra skill which is handy to have.
“They key is to have patience and not get frustrated.”
Wellsprings plans to repeat the program next year if it can secure funding.
On 13 November it introduced another new course, called Parenting Lost in Translation.
It’s a four-week look at parenting in Australia for women from multicultural backgrounds.
“The aim is to find a healthy balance between accepting and understanding your children’s environment, but also enabling them to maintain their native culture,” Dr Smiley said.
“We all need a little help and advice with our kids every now and then, but for these women who are parenting between two cultures it is even tougher.”
Participation is free of charge and classes will run on Mondays between 1pm and 3pm.
Call Wellsprings on 9701 3740 for course bookings and more information.
