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Community Parents providing Encouragement to Latrobe Valley Families

Many families with young children and babies do not always have people around to offer support and encouragement.

By Good Beginnings Latrobe - 20th January 2003 - Back to News

Many families with young children and babies do not always have people around to offer support and encouragement. Good Beginnings Latrobe currently has trained Volunteer Community Parents available to visit families in the Latrobe Valley area.

Volunteer Community Parents are individuals who are committed to supporting families in their local communities. Community Parents provide weekly friendly visiting support and can provide families with information about services and activities available to families with young children in the local community.

"Many families who utilise the Community Parent Home Visiting Program want someone to visit to offer encouragement and reassurance. This is particularly important for first time parents." says Kellie O’Callaghan, Coordinator of Good Beginnings Latrobe.

Families use the program for a variety of reasons. Some are new to the area and want to meet new people and access social activities. Other tell us that having left the workforce to have a child they are missing the regular social contact they had in the workplace. Good Beginnings Volunteers can help to relieve these feelings of isolation for many parents. "Parents frequently tell us that they look forward to their Volunteer visit as for many the visit also includes a special activity like going to the park for a picnic or going to playgroup." says Ms O’Callaghan

Good Beginnings Volunteer Community Parents come to the program with various skills and experiences. Some Community Parents have young children whilst others are very active grandparents. All Volunteer Community Parents have undertaken a comprehensive training program and have a good knowledge of activities and support services that are available to families in the region.

"Our Volunteers are committed to helping families enjoy their parenting experience," says Ms O’Callaghan.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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