FOR any new parent, navigating the world after having a baby can be a daunting experience.
For young mums, particularly those without a strong, or dependable support system, motherhood can carry even more challenges, including access to safe transportation, and services such as Centrelink.
Situations like these are where organisations like Mildura’s born and bred Zoe Support Australia can become vital.
“My life before attending Zoe Support was quite hard,” one client said.
“I have seen such a positive impact on my daughter’s social skills since attending programs and playgroups.
“I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for their help.”
Zoe Support Australia chief executive Merinda Robertson, who joined the organisation in 2013 when it was run entirely by volunteers, said her passion for helping young mums came from her own experiences.
“I had my eldest daughter at 18,” she said.
“I saw how fantastic it was that young mums had a space they could go to create that community, and feel like they’re not isolated.
“A lot of people say to raise a child it takes a village, and I really think Zoe Support is that.
“We’ve built a community where young mums feel safe to open up and talk to their case managers or other young mums.
“They encourage each other to go back into education or to come along to programs, and supportive play groups to support their social skills and just grow together.
“It allows them to feel like they’re part of something.”
One client said that being supported to do things outside of her comfort zone helped the bond and relationship she has with her son.
“Since becoming pregnant, not just myself but my son have gone through quite a lot, including domestic and family violence, unstable housing, and severe mental health issues,” she said.
“We have continuously been supported with our mental and physical health, housing and financial issues, parenting, transport, daycare, and so much more.”
Zoe Support board chair Gary Green said it was important for the organisation to bring those important services to the young mums.
“Negotiating these services can be tricky, and that ability to bring them on site is really beneficial,” he said.
“The expertise of the staff, the knowledge of what works for the young mums, to be able to build relationships in the community, that enhances the work that we do.
“A lot of the mums we work with don’t have those family support systems that people sometimes take for granted.
“Really, the team are a surrogate family to a lot of them, they do the basic things with them that a normal family will do.”
Zoe Support Australia is funded in part by government grants, however a number of services remain at risk and dependent on philanthropic funding.
“It’s always a difficult space to be in because we know that what we’re doing is supporting young mums to thrive,” Ms Robertson said.
“We often do surveys or focus groups to ask our mums what programs they want to see.
“We’re not trying to deliver a service that we think should be delivered, we’re asking them what will support them.”
Mr Green said the organisation is often in a tricky space.
“It’s difficult when you’re always looking for funding to keep doing what you’re doing well,” he said.
“A lot of hours go into just trying to keep the programs consistent.”
As a registered Learn Local organisation, Zoe Support Australia’s services include pre-accredited training courses.
“We might have a young mum who isn’t ready for accredited education at a secondary school,” Ms Robertson said.
“These classes help them gain confidence, and relieves some of that social isolation.
“They don’t have to sit home alone with their child, when they’re ready they have a space to go to.”
One of the young mums who received help in obtaining food handling and barista certificates to build up her resume, was referred to Zoe Support Australia by her child-nurse.
“I have a very small support system, and was quite often housebound,” she said.
“The carers have gone over and above for us, they make it an incredibly safe, warm and kind environment, and answer any questions I have.
“They are one of the most welcoming and wonderful groups of women, and I have received a lot of help through these ladies.
“Motherhood in itself is unlike any other challenge, but probably one of the most rewarding.
“I have been able to see how my daughter changes and is becoming her own person, putting together her likes, and dislikes.
“It’s rewarding to wake up to her everyday shining brighter than the day before.”
