We recently caught up with Community Services Coordinator, Justyna Szarek, after Plunket Meadowbank’s Russian playgroup’s lovely holiday party. It wove Russian Christmas traditions in with summer fun for the little ones and their caregivers, and is a great example of a supportive playgroup for young families.
Tell us all about the Russian Playgroup!
Justyna: It started nearly two years ago in response to the growing community of young Russian-speaking families in the areas I look after (basically Ponsonby to a little past Meadowbank).
I was already running a Japanese group and a few baby and toddler groups in the area, and it was during one of those baby groups on a Monday that two Russian mums came in. They said how they would be interested in meeting more, because they would like to preserve the language. It’s especially great for children who may have a mother who is Russian and a Dad who’s a Kiwi (or the other way around) – they would love for their child to learn both languages.
So, it started from there and has really evolved. People travel from all over Auckland to Meadowbank for it. One family drives 45 minutes one way from Pukekohe each week.
How was the Christmas party? The kids must have
loved it!
Justyna: It was a lot of energy! Lots of celebration! And probably more than some of my other playgroups’ Christmas parties because my volunteer, Daria, had such an organised event schedule. The families came in, sang some songs and did some activities, then it was time to do a sort of prayer or blessing together before a lot of delicious food, and then presents for the tamariki. It felt like a really special occasion, very different to the other days of playgroups during the year, so the excitement was quite intense!
Is being able to offer a cultural playgroup like this
unique to Plunket?
Justyna: Yes, definitely – and the fact that Plunket is so supportive of it. And I can see the difference it is making, especially for new mums who want to connect with other new mums in their language and with a similar background.
So you organise the groups, but your volunteers are theones on the ground running the playgroups each day – are they easy to find?
Justyna: My ad for volunteers is always up, if that answers your question! But in all seriousness, I always prefer to have two volunteers per group so that if one is sick, the other can cover and the playgroup can still go ahead that day for the parents who really come to rely on them for connection and support. But it’s also good for the volunteers, so they can build a friendship with one another, especially if they are new to New Zealand.
If you would like to volunteer with Plunket, feel free to contact us
about opportunities in your area:
