Mornings are hard for any mum. For a mum in crisis accommodation, like the Parramatta Women's Shelter (PWS) where 94% of women have a history of domestic and family violence, they can be overwhelming. Mums often have to juggle several children, appointments and work in a new suburb, often with a new school, all while recovering from trauma.

Caseworkers at PWS came up with a simple fix, a Walking Bus. Two mornings a week, caseworkers will serve the kids breakfast at the shelter so they start the day with full bellies, then walk them together, safely, to the local school.

We piloted it in Term 3, 2026 with around half a dozen children, and it's working:
• Mums get breathing room to settle younger children, get to work or attend appointments
• Kids arrive fed, on time and ready to learn
• Our relationship with the local school has grown stronger, which matters for children who have often missed or changed schools

In their words:
“When I was unwell and couldn't move quickly in the mornings, it was a huge help. My child was motivated to get ready fast to see friends and the caseworkers for breakfast.” – a mum at PWS..

“We love the exercise, being out in nature and the rapport we build walking with the kids.” – a PWS caseworker

One child who moved out of the shelter told us they missed the Walking Bus.
Because of that success, the Walking Bus is continuing. But it has no dedicated budget. $1,000 is the tipping point that keeps it running every term of 2027: about 80 breakfasts-and-walks, at roughly $2.50 per child per morning.

A predictable breakfast and a safe walk with a trusted adult is small, but it rebuilds the stability these kids need and gives their mums space to rebuild too.