The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) held a webinar introducing a range of websites and apps designed and built with members of the Aboriginal community in mind. The resources are culturally responsive and strengths-based. They use elements that speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – video, audio, humour, connection – and honour the strength, knowledge and resilience of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.

Some of the useful websites promoted by AIFS are outlined below and some of our Diocesan frontline and early intervention services may find this helpful:

• WellMob – social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. This includes websites, apps, podcasts, videos, social media and online counselling with a focus on emotional wellbeing.

• Deadly Dads – SMS4dads – short texts with tips, information and links for dads and their bubs. The messages help dads connect with their bub, support mum and look after themselves.

• Stay Strong – this program develops and evaluates culturally responsive, strengths-based wellbeing tools for improving health knowledge, fostering self-management for healthier and meaningful outcomes for all First Nations people. The Stay Strong program embeds First Nations governance and lived experience into the development of tools that are evidence-based and address key gaps in service delivery. Stay Strong tools use storytelling, language, artwork, and key cultural informants to convey health information. Recognising the profound impact of historical trauma on First Nations communities, the program provides safe guidance for healing and recovery. Through co-design of culturally sensitive tools and resources, and best practice research principles, Stay Strong empowers individuals to tell their story and reflect on their journey of resilience, growth and healing.

• Baby Coming You Ready? – Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents-to-be and new parents – Baby Coming You Ready? (BCYR) is a digital platform that has ‘cracked the code’ to overcome communication barriers between Aboriginal women and their health care providers during pregnancy and after baby arrives. Designed by Aboriginal community and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal professionals, it provides ‘wrap-around’ solutions to the many barriers impacting trusting engagement, effective assessment, routine screens and effective woman-centered care. Baby Coming You Ready web-based ‘app’ that uses touch screen images and Aboriginal voices overs. These guide both users through an engaging, culturally-safe ‘yarn’ that supports women to reflect on their strengths and worries and create their own solutions.