Helping families living with a disability get started

Tuesday 19 April 2005

Families living with a disability will benefit from a new initiative from the Home-Start program at the University of Newcastle.

Home-Start Coordinator Craig d'Arcy says the University's work with Hunter families has shown that there is a need for additional support for families living with a disability.

The Home-Start program is looking for people with two hours a week to spare, with great communication skills, to visit a family where a child or parent has a disability.

"Out of all the families Home-Start supported last year, 17% of the children and 22% of the parents have a disability," says Craig.

"Families living with a disability commonly face discrimination and negative community attitudes and many with young children are coping in isolation."

"These families often receive a great deal of help that is of a therapeutic nature. Our Home-Start volunteers can complement professional help by providing low key friendship and support."

"The support may simply be having a chat over a cup of coffee, providing transport or an extra pair of hands on an outing," says Craig.

The University of Newcastle's Home-Start program receives funding from the Department of Community Services (DoCS) Families First.

The Home-Start program, which celebrated its 15th Birthday last year, is a voluntary home visiting service for families with children under the age of five years. The program is looking for people with two hours a week to spare, with great communication skills, to visit a family where a child or parent has a disability. A training program for volunteers will begin on Wednesday 27 April 2005.

People interested in volunteering should contact Craig d'Arcy on (02) 4921 7224.

For media interviews contact Craig d’Arcy on (02) 4921 7224.