Relieft and care come via kind volunteer
KYLIE Aekins, of Cronulla, was struggling with a medical condition and postnatal depression when she was referred to Sutherland Early Support Service.
‘‘I became a client when Chloe was about eight months old,’’ she said.
‘‘A friend’s mother was a volunteer with them and she could see that I was struggling.
‘‘By then I had postnatal depression and I had my hand in a cast. My other hand was strapped and I was struggling with this little baby.’’
Her own parents had passed away and Mrs Aekins had little support.
The service arranged for a volunteer to visit her for a few hours one day a week.
The arrangement continued for about eight months, by which time her hand condition and depression had improved.
When Mrs Aekins had second child, Liam, now 20months, she initially coped well.
But the postnatal depression returned and when Liam was three months old he stopped thriving.
Tests showed he suffered a very serious condition that affects the brain.
Then earlier this year doctors found he also had an unrelated heart condition that caused his pulse to race and could result in a heart attack if left untreated.
With constant medical appointments and another child to care for, Mrs Aekins was again put in touch with the service.
Gayle Roast has been visiting Mrs Aekins at home for the past year.
‘‘Sometimes I just need a break from Liam,’’ Mrs Aekins said. ‘‘Other times my hands have been bad so she will help me wash the dishes or put the washing out.
‘‘Before Chloe went to school she was happy to play with Chloe or she would take Liam for a walk in his pram so I could play with Chloe.
‘‘We often have lunch and we will just talk about things.
‘‘She cares about Liam and is a good listener.’’
Lending a hand
Sutherland Early Support Service has been lending a hand — and often a sympathetic ear — to new mums since 2005.
Many of their clients are battling anxiety or postnatal depression, are socially isolated, have had a multiple birth or a baby who is unwell or has special needs, or whose partners are serving with the defence forces.
The service, based at the community health centre at Sutherland Hospital, runs several programs.
One program has volunteers trained to enable them to visit mums at home. Co-ordinator Anne Van Vuuren said up to 65 mothers were on their books at any given time to receive weekly home visits for as long as needed, but usually up to a year.
Ms Van Vuuren said the typical volunteer was middle aged, with grown children, and wanted to offer support to a family in the area.
"They see this as benefiting a family, which in turn benefits the local community," she said.
Ms Van Vuuren said volunteers spent about four hours with clients and did tasks such as from feeding and bathing babies, helping with laundry and meal preparation, caring for or playing with siblings and accompanying mothers on outings, such as appointments.
They will even look after children while exhausted mothers catch up on sleep.
The service relies on grants and donations to stay afloat.
Details: Anne or Lina, 9525 3930, or sutherlandearlysupportservice.org
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