Baptcare Home-Start Volunteer Mentor Support Program

Baptcare Home-Start is a volunteer support program which provides trained parent mentors to young families in the community.

All new volunteers attend an orientation/preparation course (that is free) where they can explore the program in detail and understand the needs of the families they will be working alongside.

Beyond the orientation ongoing training, support, supervision, opportunities to mix/mingle with other volunteers are offered for all mentors entering the program.

Once trained the volunteer will be 'matched' with a local community parent or care giver and their children. The families who are referred in, must have at least one child of pre-school age and not be in crisis. They come to the service for a variety of reasons: new baby in the family, struggling with depression, new to the community, lack of own family or friendship support, lonely, isolated - the list is endless! The volunteer will provide a 2 hour per week contact with their allocated family focussed on: emotional support of the parent, mentoring around positive engagement with the children and some practical support (helping out of home with appointments, activities or shopping) with a focus of positive engagement with the children.

This wonderful program offers opportunities for community members who wish to share their skills, experience and knowledge with a young parent and their children; a chance to gain new knowledge and skills; can be a referee for those wishing to use this as a pathway to employment and some wonderful moments of real connection and a sense of giving back.

Want to know more? We're always so happy to hear from potential volunteers. Check out our details above!