A service which gives tired parents a break is in danger of folding unless more funding is found.
The YAWN (You Ask We Nurture) program operates out of Heatherbrae in Lawson, and connects a trained volunteer with the parents of a newborn, providing them with two hours respite a week for up to six months.
YAWN project co-ordinator Christy Hartlage says there is only enough funding to see the project through until March.
She says ideally $30,000 to $40,000 a year is needed to pay someone on a fulltime basis to co-ordinate the volunteers and grow the program.
The program survives with funding from Blue Mountains Council and support from Connect Child and Family Services, but Ms Hartlage says it tends to fall between the cracks for grant applications because it’s too small, but not big enough or new enough for start-up grants.
Operating for seven years, the program has helped 130 families and has 19 volunteers. “It’s a soft entry for families to have access to other services in the community without stigma,” Ms Hartlage said.
“It was very helpful for us,” said Grace Johnstone from Hazelbrook, who has just finished the program.
“We have very little family help. Having the two hours every week it released the stress for me having her [baby Charlii] the whole time. I could hang out the laundry and do the gardening. It was something to look forward to every week.”
Sharni Chan, her husband and their daughter Tilda, moved to Hazelbrook from the Hawkesbury a few months ago and they have no family nearby for practical support.
Ms Chan says the support of older, wiser women who’ve raised a family has been valuable. “It's nice to have a sounding board,” she said.
“That two hours makes a huge difference, more than you would probably think, when you haven’t had more than 10 minutes to yourself for weeks on end.”
In August, the YAWN project received acclaim from the Centre for Volunteering.
One of the program’s volunteers, Cheryl Adams, was awarded adult volunteer of the year and overall NSW volunteer of the year for outer western Sydney and Blue Mountains. She’s in the running for a NSW volunteer of the year award to be announced in November.
“Most volunteer organisations have people who volunteer for six months tops,” Ms Hartlage said.
“Cheryl has been volunteering since we started in 2011.
“Every time she calls me and says ‘I’ve finished with one family and I’m ready for another family.’”
Ms Hartlage has encouraged businesses and the community to get behind the YAWN project. She says a corporate partnership was also an option. Tax deductible and payroll donations can be made at: https://hub.benojo.com/cause/ConnectCFS-YAWN
