The Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) will give a free workshop to assist adult children who have returned to the family home after a personal crisis.

The service, called ‘Boomerang Children’, is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services to deal with individuals trying to cope with with marriage breakdown, loss of employment, mental or physical health issues, and their parents.

AGWS provides personal counselling as well as couples or family group combinations to help them manage their family relationships in an effort to empower these members of the Greek Australian community to reach their full potential and rehabilitate.

According to the 2011 Australian census, up to one-quarter of adult children aged 20-35 were still living at home with parents. The data indicated that the majority were male and were living with a single parent and had returned home as opposed to never having moved out – a situation familiar to the Greek community.

“Without a doubt, the main reason is because the cost of living is so high. This includes the cost of rent, utility bills, petrol and lifestyle expenses,” says Kia Antoniadis, AGWS family counsellor.

“There are also high levels of unemployment, breakdown of relationships, divorce and addictive behaviours such as gambling, alcohol and drug abuse, making it even harder for people to live independently, so the parental home is used as a back-up or safety net.”

Some of the advantages can include sharing household and general living expenses, having company and the sense of security and protection. However, for the ‘boomerang child’, this return includes a loss of space, routine, lack of privacy, change of lifestyle and habits which could eventually lead to depression.

“It means having to be accountable and being treated as a ‘child’ again and challenges around becoming a carer of an elderly parent with complex health issues,” adds Adonis Maglis, AGWS community services officer.

“If you find yourself in the situation you can always seek counselling or mediation support for issues of difference that cannot be resolved at AGWS.”
The workshop will be conducted in Greek and is targeted to parents who are interested in learning more about the topic of ‘Boomerang Children’. Bookings are essential. Call AGWS on 9388 9998.

* Speakers: Adonis Maglis, AGWS community services officer and Kia Antoniadis, AGWS family counsellor. Guest speaker Celia Walsh, client and stakeholder relations officer/mediator, Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria, Department of Justice & Regulation.

When: Thursday 30 July 2015, 12.15 – 2.15pm.
Where: AGWS head offices, 7 Union St, Brunswick.