AS one of Perth’s fastest-growing communities for young families, it is little surprise that Ellenbrook has become one of WA’s strongest take-up areas for the Parent Pathways program.

Young Ellenbrook mums taking part in the voluntary program are accessing financial assistance, mentoring and being connected to parenting, health and other local services, to support their personal, study and training goals.

For 23-year-old Ellenbrook resident Ashleigh Turner, Parent Pathways has helped bring her goal of becoming an early childhood educator back within reach.

With a four-year-old and one-year-old at home, Mrs Turner said study had been put on hold until she found the program.

“I’d started studying childcare at TAFE when I was younger, but found it hard to get there, and then I had my oldest child,” she said.

“Now, with guidance from my Parent Pathways mentor, I’m doing online learning to get my childcare certificate. I hope to finish the course in the next couple of months so next year when my oldest is in full-time school, I can start working.”

The Parent Pathways program, delivered by Training Alliance Group, is open to eligible parents and carers with children under the age of six who are not in paid work.

The program includes financial assistance of up to $1250 towards goals such as training, transport, driver’s licenses and technology, $250 in vouchers for groceries, regular mentoring, and wellbeing support.

Training Alliance Group executive director Ragul Raveendran said the program was making a meaningful difference for families in Ellenbrook.

“Every day we hear from parents, mostly mums, who have used the Parent Pathways program to study flexibly around their children, and these parents have then gone on to find employment or start their own businesses.

“To be able to support these mums to chase their dreams of a better future is incredibly humbling, and we’re grateful for the federal funding that makes the Parent Pathways program possible.”

The need for programs like Parent Pathways and the connections they create was evident at a recent free community event hosted by Parent Pathways and the Mum Collective, which included sleep training by WA’s peak parenting organisation Ngala, at the Grapevine Community Arts Space.

The event was at capacity with a large waitlist.

Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence MP and Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard MLA both attended the morning.

“It was great to see the Parent Pathways program in action in Ellenbrook,” Lawrence said.

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“Speaking with the many mothers at the event, it’s clear how valuable programs like Parent Pathways are to build connection, confidence and strong local support networks. The Albanese Labor government is proud to support the Parent Pathways program and the difference it’s making for families in our community.”

Ms Maynard said as a mum of two, she understood how important it was to support mums and parents at a particularly vulnerable stage of life.

“Being a new mum is a complete culture shock. We are more than just mums, and that’s okay. Having support like Parent Pathways to figure out what you can do and where you are going in the future is incredibly important.

“I hope more young mums take the opportunity to see how Parent Pathways can help them.”

The local Training Alliance and Parent Pathways office can be found at 3/8 Commercial Road, Ellenbrook.

Available across WA, Parent Pathways is a free and flexible program that empowers mums, dads and carers with mentoring, financial assistance and connections to support services, personalised to their goals and circumstances.

Find out more and apply online or call 1300 436 756.