Volunteer, Early Years Support Services- Canterbury Bankstown

About 3Bridges and Volunteering

3Bridges is a registered charity and not for profit organisation, providing a variety of support services to the communities of South East and South West Sydney. Over the past 40 years, with services from early years, through to aging well, we have provided an array of solutions to make a positive difference in our local communities. We assist the lives of many by building happier, healthier, connected, and more engaged, valued and enriched communities.

Volunteering involves contributing some of your own time, to help make a difference in supporting our community. The 3Bridges volunteering program is flexible and supportive and we will train you with the required skills on your volunteering journey, to assist making a positive difference in your life, and in the life of those around you.

Volunteering Benefits

• Contribute to making a positive difference in your community
• Meet like-minded people and form long-lasting friendships
• Challenge yourself by trying something new
• Learn and develop a new skill

About the Volunteering Role - Canterbury Bankstown Area 

To support a mother and her baby & small children referred by health professionals because of isolation and lack of family support and indicating additional issues such as postnatal depression, anxiety, multiple babies, new to the area, CALD background, defense family, health concerns & or disability issues for the mother or child. A volunteer undergoes a two day in house training or online learning, criminal and working with children checks and obtains registration with 3Bridges prior to training. Once training is completed the volunteer is linked with a family for 2 to 4 hours a week to provide emotional and practical support in the client’s home. Priority is given to families with newborns. The safety of the volunteer is paramount. Ongoing supervision is provided by professional coordinators with monthly in-service education provided to the volunteer team.

Training Date: Tuesday 1st of October.

Volunteering Duties

• To provide practical support to a mother in the home. This may include feeding, settling, bathing babies, playing with toddlers, walking a baby, allowing a mother to rest, assisting with household organisation.
• Helping with appointments & outings.
• Sharing of wisdom and experience gained as a parent or grandparent.

 You will require

• No formal qualifications required. Flexibility and a non- judgmental calm approach. Must be functionally fit and active to work in a household with small children.
• Knowledge of local community eg. Park locations
• Work experience in early childhood/nursing helpful but not essential.
  
• Experience with babies and small children as a parent/grandparent or worker in childcare/families.
• Enjoyment of babies and toddlers. Curious, playful with practical skills.

We encourage all community members to apply for our volunteering roles, and we thank you for your support and valuable time in assisting with our vulnerable communities.