The Safeplace program that utilises existing national networks through some of the most remote places in Australia to provide Ikea Cots and Mattresses to Indigenous families with a newborn. The rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in remote Indigenous families is almost 6 times the rate of non Indigenous Australians. Many of these deaths are attributed to poor sleeping conditions and lack of suitable bedding.

1. safeplace
An initiative of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council

2. Indigenous parents in remote
areas are more than twice as
likely as non indigenous
parents to lose their newborn
to Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS).
Research suggests that this
can be attributed to poor
sleeping conditions and lack of
a proper cot and well fitted
mattress.
safeplace
An initiative of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council

3. Safeplace is a program that provides average Australians the opportunity to donate Cots, Mattresses and wraps to parents in
remote Indigenous communities of Australia. The program is essentially a series of networks and partnerships formed to deliver,
set up the items and provide education and educational materials to Indigenous parents with new babies. 100% of donations go
towards purchasing the item. Administration and delivery of the item is paid by NATSICC and corporate partners.
Items include a Cot and Mattress Set ($138), a single mattress ($39) and a Muslin wrap ($10).
Many Indigenous families in remote areas do not have the means (both financial and geographical) to purchase such items. Not
only are these items critical in providing a safe sleeping environment, they also become a community resource and can be shared
with other families.
safepl

4. Webshot – www.safeplace.org.au

5. safepl
ace
More than just material assistance...
Educational Materials
Safeplace is working with SidsandKids to develop existing educational material for
distribution with donated items.

6. safepl
ace Capacity Building in Indigenous
Communities
Safeplace strives to support Indigenous communities attain
self reliance. We are in discussions with a group on
Melville Island to make muslin wraps designed specifically
for use in the Territory. All profits will be used by the
community to purchase supplies and make other items.
Yarning Blankets
A Yarning Blanket is a large blanket that depicts various
scenes and information regarding safe sleeping
environments for babies. It is a visual aid that overcomes
the language barrier that communities may experience
and is a culturally appropriate way of informing parents .
Sitting and talking is the way 'business' is done in many
language groups.

7. Donors Engage
with SafePlace
Website
When item
delivered an
email with
Select Item
Google map of
where the item
was sent
safepl
flow of interactions
Name added to
ace Pay online via
‘Everyday
encrypted
Heroes’ List on
Gateway
Website
Automated
Thanks via
Email

8. Example of the email
the donor will receive
Thankyou for your Donation
of a Cot and Mattress Set!
Your gift was donated to a family of 5
inWadeye in the Northern Territory.
Thanks to you their 3 month old baby will
now have a Safeplace to sleep
Wadeye is the largest Indigenous
community in the Northern Territory. The
inhabitants include seven language
groups, the main language that is spoken
being Murrinhpatha. The Indigenous
population has five traditional bands or
kinship groups of Nangiomeri,
Marimanindji, Marithiel, Maringar and
Mulluk Mulluk.
You have been added to our
everyday hero
list at www.safeplace.org.au.
You have made a difference to a baby’s
life – you are an everyday hero.
safeplace
An initiative of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council

9. safeplace
Thankyou for your support of SafePlace.
NATSICC is overwhelmed by the support of Catholic and mainstream
organisations. The program addresses a need in the simplest and most
obvious way possible and this seems to have ‘struck a chord’ with the
community.
Schools will soon be holding casual days, mother’s groups will be hosting
breakfasts and organisations will be having fundraisers in order to
purchase Cots, Mattresses and wraps. You are making a tangible and
meaningful change to the lives of people in the Northern Territory.