Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Parent-Child Mother Goose program is looking for people to help with its weekly song, rhyme and storytelling sessions as it tries to buck a trend of decreasing volunteer numbers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The weekly sessions are in Kyneton and Romsey and group facilitator Tracey Thiele said there were plans to extend the program to Gisborne and Riddells Creek once enough volunteers were found.
Ms Thiele said community organisations had always relied on the support of volunteers but since the pandemic, groups had seen a decrease in the number of people offering their time and sharing their skills.
“We are looking for people that can spare three hours a week,” she said.
“Volunteers for the Parent-Child Mother Goose program don’t need any specific qualifications or experience working with children, they help support the parents and the pre-school participants, and help to set-up and pack-down for each session.”
Ms Thiele said volunteers were offered training involving an introduction to the songs, rhymes and stories used in the sessions and learning the theory behind them as part of the program.
Mother Goose aims to enhance the bond between parents and children, and connect families in the Macedon Ranges.
People interested in volunteering with the program can email volunteering@scchc.org.au.
People interested in attending with their children can call Ms Thiele on 5421 1666 or email tracey.thiele@scchc.org.au.
Sessions are in Romsey on Wednesday afternoons and Kyneton on Thursday mornings.
