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Volunteer Programs

Volunteer for Karitane Volunteer Programs (KVP) Fairfield, Bankstown & Liverpool L.G.A.

Wishing to volunteer for a position at KVP
Volunteers support families on a one to one basis by providing weekly home visits of approximately 3 hours, within supported playgroups, by providing transport, community development or by visiting women antenatally and postnatally in hospital. The services are provided free to the families requesting to participate in the program and reside within Fairfield, Bankstown & Liverpool L.G.A. Volunteers are people with parenting experience wishing to offer their time of approximately 4 hours per week.

Reasons why families may ask to be supported

  • They are lonely or isolated.
  • Needing a break.
  • Finding parenting difficult.
  • Needing more confidence or support.
  • Finding it hard to get out of the house.
  • Family or friends may not be able to help.
  • Their partner may work long hours or not be available to help.
  • They may be a single parent.
  • They may have twins, triplets or a premature baby.
  • The child may have a disability or be unwell.
  • The parent may have a disability or be unwell.
  • They may not speak English.
  • They may want to meet other families living close by.

The Volunteer can perform their role by:

  • Visiting for a chat, being a good listener, going for a walk, to the local playgroup, going to the
  • shops or an appointment with the family.
  • They can help with the child/ren when catching a bus or travelling by car.
  • Sharing their experiences as a parent to help with ideas for the own child.
  • Helping families better understand their own feelings as a parent.
  • Increasing family and community support.
  • Spending time playing with the child so the parent can finish such things as cooking the
  • dinner or getting the clothes off the line.
  • Spending time playing with the child so the parent/carer can have some time out.
  • Asking the coordinator at Karitane for information to help the family, such as the local
  • playgroups, other support services, parenting issues, brochures, videos or books.

What a volunteer does not do for the family:


  • A volunteer cannot be asked to mind the child/children while they go out or take the child out without a family member present.
  • We do not ask volunteers to clean or attend to other housework but a volunteer may be happy to help with some of the household chores.
  • A volunteer cannot offer professional advice. If the family requires professional advice, the volunteer can speak to the co-ordinator, at their request, who can assist with advice.
  • Volunteers are asked not to give their home telephone number to the families they visit.
  • volunteers do not change nappies

Pre - volunteer education
Education is offered, 4 hours per week, over 9 weeks at the Education Unit at Carramar.