The Better Start Project aimed to understand the experiences of mothers raising children in high rise public housing. It also sought to understand the impacts of living in this environment during the first 1000 days of a child's life (from conception to two years of age). In doing so, the project intended to inform innovative service delivery models, tailored to improve outcomes for families who may be experiencing a series of compounding challenges.
The project began in November 2022, led by Better Health Network (BHN), in partnership with the Centre for Community Child Health. The project was co-funded by the City of Port Phillip. To foster meaningful connections with families a Better Start researcher was based at Park Towers, a high-rise public housing building in South Melbourne. A series of community engagement initiatives were facilitated, adapting to suit the needs of families. Alongside this, interviews with several local service providers were conducted. Overall, 22 mothers engaged with the Better Start project each to varying degrees, with over 50 community-based engagements.
Mothers shared that they feel significantly unsafe in the building’s communal spaces, limiting the way in which families engage with and utilise common areas. They voiced concerns about frequent incidents of violence, exposure to illicit drug use, and residents displaying challenging behaviour. They also shared photos and examples of substandard building maintenance which has led to increased exposure to environmental allergens. Such conditions can have strong adverse effects on the health and wellbeing outcomes of children.
Through our conversations with mothers and a comprehensive literature scan we learned that social conditions outweigh access to services in shaping health and wellbeing outcomes for children and families. Families deserve to feel safe in all spaces, particularly in their living environment. The significant safety concerns raised by mothers in the Better Start project, highlight the importance of prioritising gender-sensitive design. This approach not only meets the unique needs of women-led families but also contributes to creating a safer and more supportive living environment for everyone.
What children also need to be able to grow and develop optimally is loving caregivers, safe communities, secure housing, access to green parklands, environments free from toxins, and access to affordable, nutritious foods. Many of these needs are beyond the control of individual families. This means that children can only develop as well as their families, their community and our broader society enable them to.
Our recommendations captured in the
Better Start report demonstrate opportunities for change in public housing, to create homes that are safer, better resourced, and support substantial changes that will see all children and families given the opportunity to have what they need to thrive, be healthy and enjoy optimal wellbeing.
The Better Start Project Team
Led by Better Health Network (BHN), in partnership with the Centre for Community Child Health, the Better Start project was co-funded by the City of Port Phillip to understand the experiences of mothers raising children in high rise public housing. It also sought to understand the impacts of living in this environment during the first 1000 days of a child's life.
