You can often see local Gerringong resident Helen Anderson on a Saturday scaling the isles of the IGA– shopping for ingredients of the new recipe she and her “niece” have decided to cook. This is just one of the many activities Ms Anderson does with the child she is linked with as a volunteer in CareSouth’s Aunties & Uncles program.
“We both love cooking, so a lot of our weekends revolve around reading recipes, shopping for ingredients and making different things. We also do craft projects, go to the beach, play with the dog, and watch movies,” said Ms Anderson.
When she’s not flying as an Aviation Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, Helen has little free time of her own. But unlike so many very busy people, she has taken precious time out to make a difference in a young child’s life through CareSouth’s Aunties & Uncles program.
“It has made my weekends a little bit busier, but it is also great fun,” said Ms Anderson, who has been involved with the Aunties & Uncles program for nearly two years now.
“I heard about the program a few years back when I read an article in the local Kiama newspaper I have always been interested in doing some volunteer work and thought this would be a good way to contribute to the community…it seemed like a good fit,” she said.
“Helen is a wonderful and important mentor for the child she is linked to through the Aunties and Uncles Program,” said Clare Wilson, Operations Manager of the Aunties & Uncles program. “She has undertaken her role as a carer with commitment and enthusiasm, and has been inspiring in the way she has supported both the child and her mother with kindness and a genuine understanding of their needs,” she said.
Originally from Queensland, Ms Anderson now lives in Gerringong and works in the Seahawk Helicopter Squadron 816 at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, home of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. With no children of her own yet, Ms Anderson decided to volunteer with CareSouth’s program because she loves to work with kids and had an urge to help her local community.
Like many aunties and uncles, Ms Anderson cares for her ‘niece’ one weekend every month, and provides her with friendship, role modeling and time out from potential stress at home. Research has shown that a preventative program such as Aunties & Uncles can alleviate the stress that many families face and, by linking children with appropriate role models like Ms Anderson, contributes to children developing into well-adjusted adults.
It is an incredibly rewarding and worthwhile program. A little bit of your spare time can mean so much to a child,” said Ms Anderson. “And I have found that I myself am learning new things and becoming more patient.”
“Knowing that I am making a difference to a child’s life and seeing her learn new things is my favourite part of being an aunty,” said Ms Anderson. “Also the look of pride on my ‘niece’s’ face when she cooks something new and realises what she is capable of.”
“It would be wonderful to attract more people like Helen to the program who are interested in becoming carers as we have a wait list of children currently in need of support,” said Ms Wilson.
CareSouth currently has a list of children eagerly waiting for carers like Ms Anderson to become part of their lives. If you are inspired to change a young child’s life through the Aunties & Uncles program, please contact CareSouth at 1300 554 260 or visit www.caresouth.org.au.
Photo contact: Katie Martha, PR Officer, mob 0419 605 054.
