A SUPPORT group for young mothers living in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula has grown so fast it will have to become incorporated nationally to realise the next stage of its growth spurt.
Mumma Bears founder Carol Ray said the 500-member group had “touched a nerve” with the many women feeling alone and cut off when left at home to look after children – especially in the early stages of motherhood.
Ms Ray, of Carrum Downs, said she had envisaged having only about 20 members when the group began late last year, but the popularity of the free service offering parenting and other life skills had exceeded her most optimistic expectations.
Mumma Bears provides support for mums of all ages who are raising children with little or no family help. They are matched one-on-one with – usually older – volunteer mums who help out with regular scheduled chats, home visits or outings to ease the pressure in times of stress.
Times, locations and frequency of visits are decided by mutual negotiation between the Mumma Bears and their “cubs”.
“It’s really a formalised friendship between them with no hard-and-fast rules; just whatever the need may be,” Ms Ray said.
“It may be just a chat over the phone, and the Mumma Bear has to be prepared to be told that ‘now’s not the right time’.”
“At the moment we have 30 or 40 mums waiting to be matched so we are desperate for volunteers who can assist them.”
Ms Ray said she had so far funded Mumma Bears out of her own pocket. “I certainly didn’t realise we would get so big,” she said.
“It started out as a labour of love but it’s become a surprising success story.”
Ms Ray said Mumma Bears was not a government agency.
“We don’t ask for anything from our members or charge any fees. We are just there for them.”
Volunteers old and young are the lifeblood of the organisation.
“They know the difficulties of being a young mum and the sense of loneliness of being at home all day, every day. Those who experienced a time when their own mum wasn’t around to help would understand how tough it can be.”
Careful planning taking in interests, availability, background or location successfully matches experienced mum to their cubs.
“Sometimes these girls just need to strike up a friendship one-on-one, whether it be over coffee, at each other’s houses, or just simply for some advice and a chat over the phone or by text.”
Ms Ray said she came up with the idea after reading a Facebook post.
“A young mum posted that she was lonely and didn’t have family support, and many commented they were in the same boat,” she said.
“It broke my heart and I decided to see if there was an interest out there for a mums’ support program.
“It exploded and I got 400 ‘likes’ in 24 hours.”
A hands-on helper herself, Ms Ray babysits for a young mum who cherishes her free time to go to the gym.
The group is holding a fund raiser for its first anniversary dinner in November.
See mummabears.com or email info@mummabears.com for further information.
