Winchester-based charity, Friends of the Family, has been running its ‘Mums and Young Children’ (MYC) service since it was founded over 30 years ago, coming to the aid of new mothers by offering a unique formula: group therapy for Mums, alongside dedicated childcare for their young babies and children.
The results have been formidable. Not only do the women participating in the programme say it’s provided them a true lifeline for them emotionally; many of the volunteers describe how it’s changed their lives too.
One such volunteer is Flora, who started volunteering for MYC 16 years ago, looking after the children whilst their Mums are in therapy.
Focus on families – a volunteer’s story
While Flora’s story is a remarkable one, it will be familiar to many. She freely admits that, like so many others, she’d suffered from depression before becoming a volunteer, and, for her, the experience changed everything. She says, ‘I benefitted from feeling accepted and appreciated. You gain as much as you give – it’s so lovely when a baby falls asleep on you!’
Flora says that when she first saw the advert for volunteer play leaders, she didn’t want to join but ‘it made me look up the work of the charity’ and since then, she hasn’t looked back: “I’ve found it very helpful because it’s given links into the community, knowing I was with other adults with this common interest. There was a time when I felt very low myself, but I felt accepted there.”
Her years of helping families have given her a special insight into why the programme succeeds. As she says, ‘The children stand to gain a great deal. We allow them to experience independence from their mums, and the wonderful thing is, they can show us how they wish to play. They can develop real social skills, spending time with other children.’
Flora has many memories of mums who have benefited from MYC, but some recollections stand out. ‘’ I remember one mum who was very nervous initially. She thought she wouldn’t be able to leave her baby, but when that Mum came to the group and met us all, she changed her mind. She said to me, ‘I think I can do this’, and that was a lovely feeling.”
So, why is the work of Friends of the Family and Mums and Young Children so vital?
Flora doesn’t hesitate. “I’m no expert, and I have no written evidence, but it feels so important. When you look at the issues that young people have later that might stem back to these early years, you realise how worthwhile it is. Not just for the families, but for you.”
Her final words are hard to disagree with. “After all, who doesn’t like to play?”
If Flora’s words strike a chord with you and you would like to explore options for volunteering, please do get in touch.
To find out more, call 01962 864466, email volunteer@fotfwinchester.org, or visit www.fotfwinchester.org. We’d love to hear from you!
