Baptcare is launching Home-Start, which is a volunteer-based home visit program to help struggling families living in the western suburbs.
Home-Start co-ordinator Cecelia Hagerty said the program seeks to work with families who are experiencing a wide range of difficulties to try to help prevent family crisis and breakdown.
“Trained volunteers offer regular support, and practical help to families with young children (at least one of preschool age), primarily in their own homes,” she said.
“It was established when workers in the community recognised that many families, with pre-school aged children, while not in a crisis situation, were in need of support to cope more adequately with the pressures of modern living and with meeting the normal demands of their young children.”
Ms Hagerty said Home-Start volunteers are trained to practice “being with” families and “working alongside” parents to help provide a safe and nurturing environment.
“All new volunteers must undergo a screening process before being linked with a family,” she said.
“They also undertake a course of preparation that offers new volunteers a chance to gain greater knowledge of their role and increase their confidence in offering the service.
“They come from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and must be able to commit to a minimum of six months to the program.”
Once matched with a family, volunteers work virtually or face to face once a week for about one to two hours and provide the parents with emotional support including listening, sharing, normalising worries and allowing them to talk about their concerns.
Ms Hagerty said the Home-Start program respects the special cultural, racial, ethnic and religious traditions which make each family distinct.
Baptcare Home-Start has been operating across the world since 1973 with the first scheme in Australia starting in 1989.
Details: 9373 3800 or homestartprogram@baptcare.org.au
