What It Means for Families and Children
Across Australia, the cost of living continues to rise.
Interest rates, cash rate decisions, and inflation are affecting everyday life. Updates from the Reserve Bank of Australia influence everything from mortgage repayments to rent, groceries, bills, and petrol.
For many households, these increases are stretching budgets further than ever before.
And for some local families, the pressure is becoming too much.
When the Cost of Living Becomes a Crisis
For families already managing on tight budgets, even small increases in essential costs can have a significant impact.
- Higher grocery bills
- Rising fuel costs
- Increasing rent and mortgage repayments
As everyone knows, these aren’t optional expenses. When they rise, families are often left making difficult decisions about what can be delayed, reduced, or done without.
This is where child poverty becomes less visible, but more widespread.
Families may still be working. Children may still be attending school. But behind the scenes, financial pressure is building. Parents are skipping meals to keep their children fed. Nappies are stretched for longer. A new winter coat isn’t an option.
What We Are Seeing Across Our Community
At Big Group Hug, we work alongside more than 1,500 health and welfare professionals who refer families to us for support.
What we are seeing is a major change.
More families are being pushed into crisis, including those who have never needed help before. Households that were once stable are now navigating ongoing financial stress.
The need is also lasting longer. What was once a short-term challenge is becoming sustained pressure over months, sometimes years.
At the same time, fewer resources are flowing in. Families are holding onto items for longer, and donations – both goods and financial – become harder to give during tighter economic periods.
We are also seeing the impact on our volunteer community. Rising fuel costs are making it more difficult for some volunteers to travel to our sites, with some reducing their hours or stepping back altogether.
This creates a growing gap between need and support.
Why Practical Support Matters
When families are under financial pressure, access to everyday essentials can make a meaningful difference.
Items such as clothing, toiletries, nappies, school supplies, prams, and safe sleeping equipment help ease immediate stress and support children’s health, safety, and wellbeing.
This kind of practical support allows families to redirect limited resources toward other critical needs, like food, housing, and bills.
It also helps children feel included, prepared for school, and able to participate in daily life.
How Big Group Hug Supports Families
Big Group Hug connects community generosity with families in need.
Through referrals from health and welfare professionals, essential items are collected, sorted and thoughtfully packed for each individual child.
Every pack is tailored, whether that’s ensuring a child has warm clothing for winter, safe transport to appointments, or a secure place to sleep.
This approach means support is practical, immediate, and designed around real needs.
How You Can Help During the Cost of Living Crisis
In times like this, community support plays an important role.
If you are in a position to offer help to Aussie families, there are many ways to get involved:
Make a donation
Financial contributions power our operations and allow us to purchase essential items we cannot source through the community, ensuring we can respond quickly as needs arise. Every contribution helps us reach more children with practical support.
Donate preloved kids items
Families rely on essential items that are safe, clean, and in good condition. Donating items you no longer need helps extend their life and support another child.
Get involved in the Winter Warmers Drive
As temperatures drop, demand for warm clothing and blankets increases. Hosting a collection through your workplace, school, or community group can make a meaningful difference.
Refer a family
If you work in health, education, or community services, you can refer families who may benefit from support.
Supporting Each Other Through Challenging Times
Cost of living pressures are affecting many people across Australia right now.
For some, it means tightening budgets. For others, it means seeking support for the first time. And for many, it’s a reminder of how important community connection can be.
At Big Group Hug, we see every day how practical support can ease pressure and create stability for children and families.
We also see how generosity, whether through donations, time, or sharing resources, can ripple through a community. How everyday people can be a lifeline for a child in need.
When we support each other, more children have what they need to feel safe, included, and able to thrive.
