b'Bringing familiestogetherIt helps to know that someone reliable is visiting each week. Home-Start participantOur Home-Start volunteers provide invaluableEvery volunteer in the team has displayed mentoring and emotional support to other parentsan ability to relate to children of all ages, be experiencing isolation or crisis. Many are parentscreative in the use of their time, and offer themselves. This allows them to draw fromfriendship, mentoring and practical support where personal experience, lead by example and act asnecessary, says Teresa. positive role models. Our Home-Start volunteers visit each family The respectful and friendly approach eachweekly. Some of the volunteers are so passionate volunteer brings, and their willingness to shareabout the program and the positive impact theyve their own parenting experiences, allows them tobeen able to make, that they now mentor several quickly build trusting relationships with families,families at a time. says program coordinator, Teresa Garland. OM This story reflects our commitment to All volunteers go through an intensive trainingachieving life outcomes maximised.block over several weeks before they start work. Their professional backgrounds are diverse. What they have in common is imagination and an ability to communicate. They operate without judgement to ease the burden of socially isolated families. Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive, with volunteers building strong relationships with the families. It helps to know that someone reliable is visiting each week. I was able to talk to her very easily about any subject, one Home-Start participant says. Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2019-2020 27'