Lucinda

As a Family Mentor, I visit mums and dads in their homes and deliver child development activities. Each visit is relevant to the child’s age. Parents tell me what they already know on a subject and without judgement, we have a conversation. I give them any tips or advice on what I have learnt through my training that I think will help.

The thing I find most rewarding is being on the journey with the parents and child. I love seeing the child grow into a little happy confident person. 

I have also had a few families who have been struggling with housing and even domestic violence and they have felt comfortable and confident to tell me, knowing I will do what I can do to help. My role is to signpost them services that offer specialist support. I take the time to listen and sometimes just having a person who will listen makes a lot of difference.

It doesn’t matter if you are having your first baby or third, I feel that the Family Mentor service benefits all parents. Remembering that Family Mentors have their own experience of parenting they really do understand. They are not there to judge you as a parent but to give you someone to share ideas with. There are lots of things parents can be involved in. 

I have just been offered a role as a Senior Maternity Support Worker. In the future, I really want to go into midwifery. I had never imagined this before becoming a Family Mentor. The role really supported my confidence to apply, and I couldn’t be happier. I have learned so much in my role as Family Mentor and it has also helped me to be a better parent.