‘No mother should have to feel alone in their journey of motherhood.’
This year, the Caring Mums program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary!
Since the pilot program in 2012, more than 700 mums have been referred to this program.
The demand keeps on increasing as families are more mobile than ever, with mums often leaving their networks and families at a time when they most need connection.
Our volunteers provide a part of the village that so many of our mums today are missing.
They become cheerleaders, mentors, and friends to the mothers with whom they are matched. They are there to support the mum in being the mother she wants to be.
Our volunteers have found that issues around isolation, mental health, grief, birth trauma, relationships, confidence and most commonly, adjusting to a new reality are what most mothers need to talk about.
Our volunteers create a safe environment in which this can happen.
The Caring Mums program is a Melbourne-based community program providing confidential, home-based, and free of charge emotional support to pregnant women and new mothers.
The program is available to women from all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Through weekly home visits by trained Caring Mums volunteers, new mothers and pregnant women receive a much-needed connection, a shoulder to lean on and a non-judgmental ear.
One mother said: “She was my guardian angel, my advocate and pretty much became part of the family.
“She helped me feel more confident in my new role as a first-time mum and was always there for advice, guidance and support.”
To find out more about Caring Mums as a participant, volunteer or referrer, visit ncjwavic.org.au/caringmums.
