SUMMER/AUTUMN EDITION - FEBRUARY 2025

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

As we stepped into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my first three months at Red Tree Foundation/ SIDS & Kids SA. It has been a deeply moving and inspiring time, getting to know the incredible families, staff, supporters, and partners who make up this community. Every conversation, story, and shared moment has reinforced the importance of our work to provide compassionate support, educating the public on grief and loss, delivering safe sleep education, advocating for change, and ensuring that no family walks their grief journey alone.

One of the significant steps we’ve taken recently is advocating for improved services for families affected by stillbirth through our submission to the South Australian Select Committee into Stillbirth. This was an important opportunity to amplify the voices of bereaved parents and push for meaningful improvements in the support and education available. Advocacy is a crucial part of what we do, and we will continue working to ensure that families receive the care and recognition they deserve.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the many events and opportunities throughout the year where we will come together as a community. Whether it’s at our remembrance and memorial gatherings, fundraising initiatives, support groups, pizza nights or the welcomed visits and phone calls to our office, we look forward to seeing you, sharing stories, and continuing to build a network of support. These events not only provide a space for shared experience and support but also help ensure that our vital services remain accessible to those who need them most. As always, our counsellors are available to support those grieving and to provide a safe space to just be.

Most importantly, I want to say thank you. Whether you support Red Tree Foundation and SIDS & Kids SA by attending events, sponsoring or donating, running your own fundraisers, being a charity partner, or using our services, you are part of something truly special. Your generosity, kindness, and unwavering support make a real difference in the lives of so many. I feel privileged to be a part of an organisation that provides such important services and look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025.

 Kari

THE COUNSELLORS

Finding Hope through Grief. A place where sadness and Joy can in fact co-exist.  Where meaning making, honouring and a new purpose replace or at least coexist with deep sadness and longing for it to be different than it is.

In the beginning, grief is all encompassing. We are surrounded everywhere by that complete and utter sense of loss, pain and anguish... everywhere…  As we move through the days, the weeks, the months, the years that complete and utter overwhelming grief morphs into something different as we travel through life.  We start to take those tentative little steps forwards through life, and we may find a new purpose, a new meaning, a way to honour the lost.  Life is not the same, it won’t… can’t be the same as it once was.  But new realities and experiences can and do bring new meaning, purpose and a sense of hopefulness and direction.  Lost loved ones live on in our hearts and by honouring them.

Recently I came across a writer by the name of Liz Newman called “Dear Grieving Hearts”.  I’ve chosen this poem by her as it speaks to the hope and serves as an encouragement through the pain.  Finding joy at times can be met with a sense of guilt.  The thing is, sometimes life presents us with moments to let the light into our darkest days...  maybe we can consider letting in some light into our darkness.

It’s OK to not be OK… it’s also OK to be Ok sometimes.

Take care.

Jacob and Jodie

THE COMMUNITY LIAISON MANAGER

G.E.M.S Program 2025

Small, but meaningful support - be a G.E.M

Becoming a G.E.M. (Give Every Month Supporter), is a wonderful way to honour the special life of your baby or child, while providing current South Australian families with their own Red Tree Foundation support.

Your monthly, tax-deductible contribution, with no minimum required, provides ongoing support for South Australian families through free, professional counselling services.

Experience the satisfaction of knowing your donation is changing lives, one family at a time. 

Regular gifts make a huge impact because...

• Regular giving is the life blood of most charities, including Red Tree Foundation and SIDS and Kids SA.
• We rely on the kindness and generosity of our community to join us as a regular supporter.
• Your regular gift is helping people understand, process and heal in their grief journey following the death of a child.

Why become a G.E.M to the Red Tree Foundation?

• You are making a difference as a G.E.M!

COASTAL WALK 2025

The Coastal Walk is fast approaching and we can't wait!  

On Sunday March the 30th, we will walk together with our bereaved community, family, friends and supporters to honour the babies and children who have died too soon.  We remember them as a community, together in a safe space, understanding that the opportunity to freely do so can be limited in people's busy daily life. 

We are excited to announce the support of @skalabakery for this years Coastal Walk! Supporting Red Tree Foundation's service provision to South Australians in their darkest days, Skala have offered to donate their delicious range of pastries, danishes and cakes for the participants of this years event.

We understand that not everyone can make it on the day, so we offer an opportunity for small businesses and bereaved families to support the Red Tree Foundation and our community of bereaved parents through sponsoring the Event.  We are fortunate enough to have Coles, Skala Bakery, West Beach and other business’ onboard for the Coastal Walk of 2025 already, and look forward to adding to this amazing list of support with Sponsorships!

WORKPLACE SPONSORSHIP $500

• 2 Tickets to the Event
• Pull up Banner placed at event
• Acknowledgement on Red Tree Foundation and SIDS and Kids SA Social Platforms
• Business Logo on Red Tree Foundation Website
• Business personally thanked by MC on the day

FAMILY SPONSORSHIP $200 

• 2 Tickets to the Event
• Framed photo of your child at the start finish line under the Marquee
• Newsletter and Social Media post with a Tile showing your child’s name             
• Formal acknowledgement and thanks by MC on the day

If you would like any further information about the Event or becoming a ‘Sponsor’ of the day, please contact Kat at office@redtreefoundation.org.aufor details.

THE EDUCATION MANAGER

CHILDCARE SECTOR

2025 has started off with a bang for our Safe Sleep Training program with 30 childcare centres so far booked in to receive safe sleep training in the first 6 months of the year.

This uptake is fantastic to see as there has been a renewed focus by ACECQA on quality supervision of sleeping infants and assessing and managing risks in a sleep environment.

SIDS and Kids SA loves working with childcare educators across South Australia to help them understand best practice approaches to safe sleep.   

For more information about our safe sleep training options ring 8332 1066 or email education@sidssa.org.au

NEW AND  EXPECTANT PARENTS

Social media can play a huge role in influencing peoples decisions, including how a nursery should be decorated and what products should be purchased. It is really important for new and expectant parents to be aware that many sleep environments posted by influencers are not safe sleep environments. We want the community to make informed not influenced decisions about their baby’s sleep environment so always do your homework when deciding on which infant products to buy or use. Two useful resources for information about products include:

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/consumers/keep-baby-safe
https://www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids

Contact me on a Monday and Tuesday with your Safe Sleep Enquiries.

Liza x

THE CORPORATE LIAISON MANAGER

WELCOME NEW CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

We are excited to announce our new Corporate Supporters.

• Welcome Perks Accountants and Wealth Advisors  as our first ever Corporate Member; offering grief support provisions to their team members.
• Thank you Berkley Insurance Australia for choosing Red Tree Foundation as their 2025 Charity Partner.
• We welcome new Corporate Sponsors: Burns Ceilings and Building Supplies, McGees Property Adelaide, and Crowne Plaza Adelaide.
• And, a huge thank you to the SA Power Networks Employee Foundation for choosing Red Tree Foundation for their end of year giving donation.

Interested in becoming a Corporate Supporter? Contact Kirilea at corporate@redtreefoundation.org.au

GRIEF AND LOSS CORPORATE TRAINING

Red Tree Foundation has now conducted a number of Corporate Training sessions this year, focused on upskilling Managers and Leaders to best support their employees through grief and loss.

 Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with testimonials below:

• “Informative and interesting session with practical solutions for how to deal with grief and loss in the workplace.”
• “The session gave excellent insight and examples of how to manage very difficult times.”
• “Excellent….well tailored towards our needs.”

 Interested in considering Corporate Training for your workplace? Contact Kirilea at corporate@redtreefoundation.org.au

Please contact us for any counselling or education requirements, or visit our website at www.redtreefoundation.org.au.

Warm Regards,

The Red Tree Foundation and SIDS and Kids SA Team