Established in 1999 and incorporated in 2003, CHIPS (Christians Helping In Primary Schools) is a non-profit organisation based in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. CHIPS is well known in the local area for working with primary aged children in crisis and has won the Casey Volunteer Organisation of the Year Award in 2010 and 2014.

CHIPS’ CEO Eric Wieckmann (also known as Captain Eric) is a dynamic speaker and presents CHIPS’ programs in and around local schools, businesses and community groups and won the Casey Citizen of the Year Award in 2005. CHIPS’ Co-founder and Manager, Cathy Wieckmann, also won the Casey Citizen of the Year Award in 2016.

CHIPS founded Life Gets Better Camps (for children who have experienced trauma, grief or loss), the iBelong program (for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds), as well as many other innovative programs for primary school communities.

We draw on the resources of local community groups and passionate volunteers from all beliefs and backgrounds to help conduct these programs.

CHIPS screens, trains and equips each volunteer to safely support and encourage the children attending our programs.  We are committed to providing a safe environment for all children and protecting them from any form of harm, including abuse. We value diversity and do not tolerate any discriminatory practices.

All volunteers are required to commit to following our Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct.

All volunteers 18 years old and over are required to have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).  CHIPS also requires volunteers aged 16 and 17 to obtain a WWCC.