Volunteer Information

Two of our volunteers with a mum (centre) and her triplets

Our volunteers are required to complete a four-day training course, which includes all aspects of home visitation, as well as reviewing issues such as child development, postnatal depression, effective communication and cultural diversity. Additional courses such as first aid and occupational health and safety training are accessed through the local Volunteer Link office.

Ongoing in-service training is offered on a monthly basis and explores a range of issues including mental health, sudden infant death syndrome, sleep and settling issues and behaviour management for toddlers.

Some recent volunteer quotes from training sessions:

"The training was very professional and thorough but presented in an informal, relaxed fashion."

"I feel I have learned so much and want to help. What stands out in my mind is how many young mothers need help and what a wonderful support Sutherland Early Support Service is."

"I found the training informative and friendly. I'm impressed by the compassion and devotion given to clients through the volunteers and coordinators. It made me realise how important this service is to the community and that through my training I can make a difference in the lives of families requiring the service."

All volunteers are screened through interviews, reference checks, Working with Children and Police checks.

The Coordinators select volunteers who have experience with children and the right personal attributes of being reliable and trusted home visitors.

Volunteers

Ordinary people; extraordinary contribution.

Volunteering together is a positive way of combating the time pressures of modern living and strengthening family and community spirit at the same time.

Volunteering:

• Is based on personal motivation and choices, freely undertaken.
• Is a way of furthering active citizenship and community involvement.
• Enhances human potential and the quality of daily life, building up human solidarity.
• Provides answers for the great challenges of our time, striving for a better and more peaceful world.
• Contributes to the vitality of economic life, even creating jobs and new professions.

Client quotes on the support their volunteers provided:

"Just having someone listen to your story helps you heal and get things into perspective. Someone giving you encouragement when it is scarce also helped" Paula (volunteer Barbara)

"Having support from the service made me realize that people really do care. Sue was more to me than someone who helped with the children. She was always there to listen and to guide me. I will always be grateful for her kindness" Chris (volunteer Sue)

"She's a fairy godmother, the nicest person I have ever met" Sue (volunteer Robyn)

"Gloria helped me to think I was worthy because of her constant contact. Her experience and wisdom were very valuable and helped to curb my social isolation" Alicia (volunteer Gloria)

"My volunteer was a good listener and extremely kind and caring with the children. I had started to withdraw from friends and even basic social things like shopping. There were constant drains on my resources but I couldn't have coped without my volunteer" Fran (volunteer Kay)

Sutherland Early Support Service coordinators have worked hard to attract and maintain a continuous stream of volunteers over the years. The interest and commitment of staff and volunteers has meant that the families have been well supported. Retention of volunteers has been a focus of the service and has been achieved via: careful recruitment and matching of volunteers; ongoing supervision, support, recognition and training offered to the volunteers. There are also flow-on benefits for the volunteers such as improved health, skills and satisfaction through active community participation. The local community also benefits as families and social capital are strengthened.