Media Centre

Baptcare's Home Start program expands to Bendigo

Publish Date: 28/04/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.

Baptcare’s Chief Executive Mr Jeff Davey today announced that Baptcare's family services division will be expanding its Home-Start program to Bendigo to assist vulnerable families in need.

After consultation with key stakeholders - including DHS and other community health services - it was confirmed that there is a high level of need for a program like Home-Start in Bendigo.

Home-Start is a voluntary home visiting service that offers practical support and friendship to families with children under the age of five. There are currently 450 Home-Start programs operating across the world in 17 countries. Baptcare is the only provider of Home-Start in Victoria, and at present offers the program in Melbourne’s Northern and Western regions.

In many ways, Home-Start fulfills the role of an extended family for some of today's parents who have become isolated from relatives and friends. Many mothers and fathers feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of life with small children. Parents with preschool children who may be faced with issues such as postnatal depression, ill health, or social isolation will particularly benefit from the program.

Home-Start volunteers are matched with a family and assist them in a variety of ways including: helping with shopping; caring for children; and linking families into community services. The volunteer acts as a mentor and friend to the family and strong, lasting relationships are often formed.

Home-Start aims to prevent the risk of family break down, and to enrich the life of all family members. Where family issues are complex, the role of the Home-Start volunteer is complementary to that of the professional worker.

Volunteers are trained to practice “being with” families and “working alongside” parents to help them provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

“As the only provider of Home-Start in Victoria and with significant infrastructure already in place in Bendigo, it seems a natural progression for Baptcare to go down this path of expansion,” said Mr Davey.

“We really believe in this program since it has already touched the lives of many people in the Northern and Western regions of Victoria. Naturally we are excited about expanding this program so that more families can benefit,” he said.

For more information on this program call 9373 3800.