There are now calls for more older women to act as mentors.

The not-for-profit scheme was the brainchild of Vicki Condon, 43, the chief executive of the Raise Foundation's Bump Program which has been going for three years.

The program aims to help mothers aged between 16 and 23 to benefit from advice from those who have already learned how to deal with motherhood.

Ms Condon, a mother of three teenagers, said the experience of motherhood can be isolating.

"People can be quite judgmental about young mothers," she said.

"The older mothers help with their life experiences. They can give advice for coping strategies, dealing with sleeplessness and babies reaching milestones.

"They are there to listen to, and hear from, the young mums."

Topics covered in the program's workshops include information on educational and employment opportunities, life skills, healthy relationships, and budgeting.

The program does not try to take the place of any young mother's own family.

Volunteer mentors are required to do 20 hours over five days of TAFE training.

Of the 48 mothers who completed the program by the end of 2011 there were 14 who received mentoring using the St George Family Support Services venue at Carlton, Ms Condon said.

The 14 mothers included some from Bexley, Hurstville, Kogarah and Beverly Hills, as well as Amy from Lugarno.

The mothers met once a month over a nine-month period and the older mothers gave an hour a week to talk and listen to the younger women.

RSLs from Kingsgrove, Earlwood-Bardwell Park, Ramsgate and Bexley, through their community development support scheme, provided the $15,000 needed to support the program in the St George area.

In other areas funds are raised through movie nights.

The mothers were referred to the program by hospitals, school counsellors and refuges.

The women had varied backgrounds from being in long-term relationships to those who were single.

The next round of training volunteer mentors begins in February.

Details: raise.org.au.