BOOK A FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS EVENT
Effective food allergy management starts with allergy education. By booking a food allergy awareness event, you’re taking real steps in meeting your duty of care, in the classroom and in the playground. Food allergies in kids can be frightening for classmates and teachers. Our sessions are specially designed to raise food allergy awareness in the classroom and get kids practicing safe prevention strategies. They’re also plenty of fun! By educating kids on the risks, your child care centre, kindy or school not only becomes a safer place, but it also becomes more inclusive for kids with food allergies.
CHILD CARE — WHAT WE COVER IN OUR FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS SESSIONS:
- One in 10 infants have allergies, we discuss the kinds of food allergies or other allergies people may have
- We talk about the most common allergens
- We help kids become ‘Food Allergy Smart’ and to change their habits
- We discuss symptoms of an allergic reaction
- The importance of having an EpiPen/Anapen close by
- We explain why we wash hands and do not share food at kindy and school
- We talk about ways we can help our friends with allergies by including them and informing a teacher if they are sick
- Every child receives a certificate for attending our food allergy session.
- We read two stories and have craft for younger children available
- Childcare services receive our Allergy Poster Pack
SCHOOL: PREP TO GRADE 3 or Grade 4 – 6 — FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS
Effective food allergy management starts with allergy education. By booking a food allergy awareness event, you’re taking real steps in meeting your duty of care, in the classroom and in the playground. Food allergies in kids can be frightening for classmates and teachers. Our sessions are specially designed to raise food allergy awareness in the classroom and get kids practicing safe prevention strategies. They’re also plenty of fun! By educating kids on the risks, your child care centre, kindy or school not only becomes a safer place, but it also becomes more inclusive for kids with food allergies.
WHAT WE COVER IN OUR SESSIONS:
- One in 10 infants have allergies, we discuss the kinds of food allergies or environmental allergens
- We help students to become ‘Food Allergy Smart’
- We talk about the most common allergens
- We discuss symptoms of an allergic reaction
- The importance of having an EpiPen/Anapen close by
- We explain why we wash hands and do not share food at school
- We talk about ways we can help our friends with allergies by including them and informing a teacher if they are sick
- We get students talking about food allergy prevention and management
- Every student receives a certificate for attending our food allergy session
- We read two stories and have classroom activities available
- The school receives our Allergy Poster Pack to increase awareness at school
LIBRARY VISITS — ALLERGY AWARENESS
Come and join us for ‘Storytime’! Meet the author and the real Thai and Rabbie. A fun session of storytelling and craft for pre-schoolers. Our story time sessions raise food allergy awareness in a fun and friendly way. These allergy awareness events are ideal for playgroups and mother’s groups, and for any kid who loves to have fun!
Libraries can book an author visit. Why not request a food allergy awareness session at your local library? For bookings and availability:
ALLERGY MASTERCLASS
Allergy education for families
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with managing your child’s allergies? Does most of the allergy care rest on your shoulders? Do you find it hard to speak up in your school or kindy about how they handle allergy management? Are there members of your family or close friends that don’t understand or think you overreact? Do you feel alone?
Use your knowledge as power. Allergies can be challenging and we have all felt overwhelmed and alone at times. The great news is that allergies are manageable and we can show you how to use your knowledge to advocate confidently so your child has a safe environment at home, with friends or family and at childcare or school. Simone Albert food allergy counsellor and I completely understand how you are feeling and we want to share our knowledge with you. This is an opportunity for parents, children, grandparents, and friends to gain knowledge from others that have walked the path before you. Our 2022 masterclass schedule is currently being created. Please register your interest by sending us an email and dates and locations will be sent to you.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2025?
Would you like YOUR school or centre to be part of the Food Allergy Smart Program in 2025?
To arrange for My Food Allergy Friends to visit your school or centre please request more information and one of our team
will get in touch with you. Student allergy education is essential and this allergy awareness program is a must for every school.
FOOD ALLERGY SMART PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE CENTRES
Many of the centres we work with receive Exceeding National Quality Standards. National Quality Standard areas covered:
- Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
- Quality Area 5 – Relationships with children are responsive, respectful and promote children’s sense of security and belonging.
- Quality Area 6 – Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Depending on restrictions next year I also have an online program.
2025 Food Allergy SMART Program for Schools & ELC
FEBRUARY 2025
Melbourne 10 -14 – Bookings Open
Sunshine Coast 6 – 7 – Bookings Open
Sydney 24 – 28 – FULL
Sunshine Coast/ Brisbane 19 – Bookings Open
March 2025
Sunshine Coast 5 – 6 – Bookings Open
Brisbane 10 – 15 – Bookings Open
Perth – 24 – 28 March – 2 left
April 2025
Sydney 7 – 11 – 2 left
Brisbane/Gold Coast/Northern Rivers 22 – 24 – Bookings Open
May 2025
Sydney 5 – 9 – 5 left
Sydney 19 – 23 – 2 left
July 2025
Melbourne 14 – 18 – 1 left
FEBRUARY 2023
QLD 7-9- FULL
Sydney 13-17 – FULL
Brisbane – 22 – FULL
Melbourne 25 Feb – 6 March FULL
March 2023
Sunshine Coast – 15 FULL
Melbourne 27 – 31 FULL
Brisbane/Sunshine Coast/Gold Coast – 21 – 24 FULL
May 2023
Brisbane/Sunshine Coast/Gold Coast – 2-4 Full
Sydney 15 -19 FULL
June 2023
Sydney 29 May – 2 June FULL
QLD 19 – 23 – Full
July 2023
Melbourne 17 – 21 – FULL
August 2023
Hervey Bay 2- 4 1 left
Melbourne 14 – 18 – FULL
Brisbane 30 – 31 – 1 spot left
September 2023
Sydney 4 – 9 – Full
October 2023
Sydney 16 – 19 Full
New events are being added so please join our waitlist
October 2023
Sydney 21 – 22 – full
Join me at the Free From & Allergy Show
Session time – 11.30am Saturday 21 October
Allergy Sessions 2022
FEBRUARY 2022
Gold Coast 7-9
Sydney 12-19 – 6 left!
Brisbane 23-25
Sunshine Coast 23-25
March 2022
Melbourne 7-11
Perth 21 -25
April 2022
New Zealand 11 – 15
May 2022
Brisbane/Sunshine Coast 3-4
Sydney 14-21
June 2022
Sydney 28 May – 4
September 2022
Sydney 3 – 10 FULL
LAST YEAR
FEBRUARY 2021
Gold Coast 8
Brisbane 10 – 12
Sunshine Coast 9 – 16
Sydney 22 – 26 – Full
MARCH 2021
Perth 8 – 12 – Cancelled
Melbourne 22 – 26 – Full
MAY 2021
Allergy Awareness Month
Brisbane 1 – 6 –
Sydney – 17 – 21 – FULL
Sydney 31 May – 4 June– 4 spots left
JULY 2021
Melbourne 12 – 16 – 1 spot left
SEPTEMBER 2021
Sydney – 6 – 10
Events 2020
FEBRUARY 2020
Brisbane 1 – 14
Sunshine Coast 1 – 14
Melbourne 15 – 22 – Full
MARCH 2020
Sydney 6 – 14 – Full
Perth 21 – 27 – Full – waiting on dates to reschedule
MAY 2020
Sydney 16 – 23 – Full – These events are rescheduled for September due to COVID-19
Brisbane 25 – 29 – Allergy Awareness Week – These events are cancelled due to COVID-19
JULY 2020
Melbourne 17 – 24 – Thai on Tour (special event) Full – These events are cancelled due to COVID-19
SEPTEMBER 2020
Sydney 11 – 18 – Thai on Tour (special event) – These events are cancelled due to COVID-19
OCTOBER 2020
Sunshine Coast – Brisbane – Gold Coast – 19 – 23 – Special events for book week
For one week only, Thai will be joining me for part of my allergy tour in Melbourne
Children will be able to meet the real Thai, our inspiration behind our educational allergy series.
Allergy Advocate Thai, has always wanted to help us raise awareness of food allergies. He is very excited about joining me again and helping to raise awareness. Last year in Sydney children responded so well to having a child make allergies easy to understand and he will talk about simple ways we can all support our friends.
ALLERGY MASTERCLASS
FEBRUARY 2020
Melbourne 16 – 10 – 12pm
ALLERGY AWARENESS EVENTS 2019
FEBRUARY 2019
Brisbane 1 – 14
Sunshine Coast 1 – 14
Sydney 18 – 23 – Sorry, these events are fully booked!
MARCH 2019
Melbourne 16 – 23 – Thai on Tour –Sorry, these events are fully booked!
APRIL 2019
Perth 1 – 6 –Sorry, these events are fully booked!
FREE Family Fun Day – Woodville Reserve Pavilion 10 – 12pm
MAY 2019
Sydney 11 – 17 Fully booked!
Sydney – Thai on Tour 20 – 25 Fully booked!
Sunshine Coast/Brisbane – 27 – 31 2 spaces left Allergy Week Events 2019 – 26 – 1 June
Brisbane 31 – I’m presenting in the Free PD Seminar Program at the National Education Summit Brisbane
JULY 2019
Allergy Masterclass Melbourne – Sunday 14 – 10 – 12 pm Fully booked
Melbourne 12 – 20 Food Allergy SMART Program schools and childcare Fully booked
AUGUST 2019
Allergy Masterclass QLD
Brisbane – Saturday 10 – 10 – 12pm
Sunshine Coast – Sunday 11 – 2 – 4pm
SEPTEMBER 2019
Sydney 16 – 20 Food Allergy SMART Program schools and childcare Fully booked
Allergy Masterclass Sydney – Sunday 15 – Fully booked
Want to stay in the know about our Allergy Masterclass? You can join our waitlist here.
For one week only, Thai will be joining me for part of my Allergy Week tour in Sydney and Melbourne
Children will be able to meet the real Thai, our inspiration behind our educational allergy series.
Allergy Advocate Thai has always wanted to help us raise awareness of food allergies. He is very excited about joining me again and helping to raise awareness. Last year in Sydney children responded so well to having a child make allergies easy to understand and he will talk about simple ways we can all support our friends.
ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK 26 MAY – 1 JUNE
Food Allergy Week is an initiative of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. The week helps to promote the awareness of food allergy amongst Australians. My Food Allergy Friends will be speaking in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast over Food Allergy Awareness Week 2019.
PAST ALLERGY AWARENESS EVENTS
LET’S TALK ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
February 14 – May 28
As part of this project we are releasing a new book covering an anaphylactic reaction, we are designing a new page on our website call Anaphylaxis, along with heaps of information and links. We also want to hear real life stories, from our Food Allergy Friends. Here’s where you can help. If you or your child would like to either share your anaphylaxis story or be part of our Let’s Talk Anaphylaxis videos, get filming and writing now.
To find out how you can share YOUR story, please contact us so we can send you more information.
FEBRUARY 14TH
This book is a must for any parent as an educational resource to aid allergy education and explain anaphylaxis. Often we talk about the steps we take to stop us having an allergic reaction, but once accidental exposure has happened children also need reassurance of what happens next.
Media Enquiries
All media enquiries to contact author Jackie Nevard. Would you like to host a book launch in your community, business or school?
ALLERGY AWARENESS EVENTS 2018
FEBRUARY 2018
Brisbane 1 – 15
Sunshine Coast 1 – 15
Sydney 19 – 23
MARCH 2018
Melbourne 5 – 9
Adelaide 19 – 23
MAY 2018
Sydney 12 – 26 Sorry, these events are fully booked!
Thai on Tour 21 – 25 Sorry, these events are fully booked!
AUGUST 2018
New Zealand 18 – 25
OCTOBER 2018
Melbourne 15 – 19 Sorry, these events are fully booked!
NOVEMBER 2018
Sydney – 5 – 9 Sorry, these events are fully booked!
SYDNEY – OCTOBER
30 October – 3 November – Sorry, events are fully booked
By educating kids about food allergies and ways to be food allergy smart, your child care centre, kindy or school not only becomes a safer place, it becomes more inclusive for kids with food allergies. These sessions are aimed at children between the ages of 3 -5 or our school events prep – grade 3. Contact us now to make a booking.
Do you care for a child with a food allergy? We would love you to join us at this FREE event to be held at Nerang Library Thursday 4 May – 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
Join Jackie Nevard from My Food Allergy Friends for this information evening aimed at anyone who cares for children with food allergies. Parents, family, friends, childcare educators and teachers are all encouraged to attend. Receive practical tips for living with allergies and we will be raising awareness for EGIDs and EoE too! Sarah from ausEE will be a guest speaker,
Bookings can be made online through the library.
ALLERGY WEEK – 14 – 20 MAY 2017
These sessions are aimed at children between the ages of 3 -5 or our school events prep – grade 3.
SORRY, EVENTS ARE FULLY BOOKED
2016
Exciting news! Due to popular demand I have released new dates for our allergy sessions in Sydney. These sessions are aimed at children between
the ages of 3 -5 or our school events prep – grade 3.
SORRY, OCTOBER EVENTS ARE FULLY BOOKED
EVENT REVIEWS
Sydney Grammar – School Nurse – Tara 2024
Thank you for such a wonderfully informative presentation, the children and teachers enjoyed the morning
Director – Nicola 2021
I just wanted to say thank you for coming in last Monday and visiting us here at My Stepping Stones Haberfield. The Preschoolers LOVED having you (and Rabbie!) talk to us about the importance of not sharing food with their friends, washing hands before AND after mealtimes, and how important it is to tell a teacher or adult when a friend is having an allergic reaction and being aware of the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. During dramatic play in the kitchen, we can hear the Preschoolers use “NO! DANGER FOOD!” when cooking or serving food to their peers. Thank you again for coming in and we will see you again soon!
– Preschool Room 2021
Thank you for yesterday the children enjoyed it very much and I was told that information during the talk was very informative. – Michaela 2016
We are so excited to have you back at Pooh Bear’s this year. Your session last year was so informative!
Thank you Jackie, both you and Thai continue to inspire us to ensure safety for all children. We love your visits!!!
The school-setting is naturally a fitting environment for students to learn. Having Jackie come to teach our students on how to become a school-wide, Food Allergy SMART community is one of the most valuable education sessions our school has received on this topic, and I highly recommend it for all schools. This is a true investment. The content Jackie delivers is relevant, and as she has her own hands-on experience in managing food allergy as a parent, she is able to help students to learn about this topic in practical ways, all the while empowering every individual with a desire to grow and maintain an inclusive mindset. The result is that students are in touch with the real essence of how communities can safely and successfully handle both the physical AND social impacts surrounding food allergy, creating a safer and more harmonious school-wide community. Thanks for all your hard work, Jackie!
– Vick Koe, Melbourne 2018
It was fantastic, perfect for the age groups. The follow-up activities and certificate were great. 10/10!
Year 1 Teacher
Loved it!! She was really entertaining and the kids listened really well. She pitched it at the age level of the kids too!
Year 2 Teacher
Thank you so much Jackie, the educators and children really enjoyed it and the educators wanted to let you know as soon as the children opened their lunchboxes today they all discussed their own food and was it safe for allergies such as “yeah mines dairy free” or mines “egg free”. We will continue to discuss it all week and throughout the year. Hope to see you next year
Kristy – Sydney 2019
Thanks so much again for the incursion you and Thai did at MSS Rose Bay. The children, parents, and educators have thoroughly enjoyed this!
We’ve been repeating the 5 ways of helping and we will continue to do so
Amy – Sydney 2019
Thanks so much Jackie. The children had a wonderful time and absolutely loved it, as they always do!
Shelley – Sydney 2019
Thank you Jackie, we really enjoyed the session. The children certainly learned a lot.
Colleen – Sydney 2019
Thanks again Jackie, for another great visit!!! The posters will be very useful as well ?
Gemma – Brisbane 2023 – Treehouse Manly
Thanks Jackie,
They are still chatting about the session this morning which is great!
Bronwen – Montessori Gold Coast 2022