Aunties & Uncles program improves lives for mentors and children

Maree Wright has been a volunteer mentor in CareSouth’s Aunties & Uncles program for the past year and the experience has enriched her and her family’s life.

Maree and her family joined the program after seeing firsthand the difference the program made.

“Supporting a young person and their family to simply by sharing experiences and spending time with them is such a simple thing that we can all do, but it is so effective and its impact on families is huge,” says Maree. “Aunties & Uncles is such a valuable program. It has allowed us to make a difference in a child’s life through everyday things like playing basketball out the front with my kids, going to the park or jumping on the trampoline.”

Maree is one of CareSouth’s many volunteer mentors who took part in our Warm Hearts, Warm Feet campaign, wearing slippers to work on July 26 to celebrate National Aunties & Uncles Day.

CareSouth’s Warm Hearts, Warm Feet campaign raises awareness of the important role volunteer mentors play in guiding and supporting children and recognises the wonderful work of our Aunties & Uncles volunteers like Maree.

Hundreds of Aunties & Uncles volunteer mentors and community supporters wore their slippers to work last week to celebrate National Aunties & Uncles Day.

“I think that comparing what we do in the Aunties & Uncles program to a pair of cosy slippers is very fitting,” says Maree. “Slippers are like a warm hug for your feet, they make you feel safe, snug and supported. That’s what we do too as an Aunty or Uncle, we wrap kids in warmth, we are an extra layer of support for them.”

National Aunties & Uncles Day also marked the launch of Aunties & Uncles in Goulburn. CareSouth now links volunteer mentors with young people and their families in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay and Goulburn, after the early intervention program first started in Nowra in 1992.

CareSouth Goulburn Regional manager Lauren Holmes says the Aunties & Uncles program allows young people to share new experiences, or just everyday things, that can help them navigate challenges, build resilience and develop important social and emotional skills.

“We are so excited and honoured to be introducing Aunties and Uncles to Goulburn and our surrounding communities,” says Lauren. “It is a great opportunity to bring much needed support to the children, young people and families in our region who would benefit from an extra person in their corner and to build on the great networks our community has worked so hard to establish. Aunties and Uncles is also a great opportunity for those who have been looking for ways to give back through sharing their time, skills and kindness to the children and young people in our local area.”

CareSouth Carer Engagement and Support Team Leader, Rebecca Henderson says: “Aunties & Uncles allows young people to share new experiences, or just everyday things, that can help them navigate challenges, build resilience and develop important social and emotional skills. We would like to thank all of our supporters for getting behind this wonderful program and showing their support, just like they did last year.”

Highlights from National Aunties & Uncles Day included dozens of Aunties & Uncles volunteer mentors and staff wearing their slippers to work.

Nowra MP Fiona Phillips was one of the many supporters who got behind the campaign, sharing a social media post of herself in a pair of CareSouth slippers. Other amazing community supporters included Power FM Bega Bay, the Vivid Smile Dental Centre, Goodstart Early learning Goulburn, Fire and Rescue Goulburn, Nowra Community Food Store, The Goulburn Workers Club, The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, Bay Office Supplies (Office Choice), Shoalhaven Family Law, Be You Ballroom and Legal Aid NSW (Nowra).

CareSouth gave away more than 100 pairs of slippers and 50 information packs to help raise awareness of this wonderful program.

Children aged 3 to 12, whose families are experiencing isolation, stress or vulnerability, can be referred to the Aunties & Uncles program by parents, teachers, psychologists or other support networks by contacting CareSouth’s call centre on 1300 554 260. Caseworkers will consider a family’s needs, make a suitable match with a volunteer mentor, and provide ongoing support. Volunteer mentors, including students and grandparents, can also contact the call centre to be assessed to join the program.