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The Helpline began in 1983 after two women experiencing postnatal depression saw the need for a support group for mums affected by perinatal mental health and wellbeing challenges. With the support of their local maternal child health nurse, they set up Australia’s first perinatal Peer Support service."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5498a320af11","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"888867e975070","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA Helpline's Peer Support Program offers support to all expecting and new parents and their support people, including healthcare providers. Anyone impacted by perinatal mental health and wellbeing challenges can call PANDA for support."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0b5a192ec9f0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5c4759ed4f660","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":""}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"57f00c669aac","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"abda53d0d7520","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Who provides the Peer Support service?"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h3"},{"_key":"60531398943e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"44fd0d9d50930","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA Peer practitioners come from a variety of backgrounds but what connects them is their own experience with perinatal mental health and wellbeing challenges."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f64da363d573","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e858a4f315810","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"All our Peer practitioners in the Peer Support team have undergone specialist PANDA perinatal Peer Support training. Our wonderful Peer practitioners are supported and supervised by our Peer Team Leaders."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"sidebarTitle":"Helpful Information","sidebarPosts":[{"title":"What happens when I call the PANDA Helpline? 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Some still have babies and toddlers at home and others are empty-nesters, but they are all connected by their desire to use their own personal experiences to help others."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"background":{"value":"#FFD29D"},"leftImage":null,"rightImage":null},{"_key":"a61093e4cade","_type":"freeText","include":null,"eyebrow":null,"text":[{"_key":"e861b38ad6d0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6f6f7adb4c36","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The ‘lived experience’ of our PANDA Peer practitioners"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h3"},{"_key":"046192c747ed","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"aea5c35c09b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Lived experience is what we call the knowledge that is gained by personal experience, (specifically in relation to mental health and wellbeing challenges), as opposed to learned via study or employment."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"cdeccb0492d5","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7ad7859e19e6","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"At PANDA, lived experience relates to a personal experience of perinatal mental health and wellbeing challenges, as well as recovery. 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I have always been super creative and have worked for many years as an in-house designer for major publishing houses but these days I am focused on raising my children and studying to become a psychologist. Although creativity is part of who I am I decided to embark on a career change after my own lived experience."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d101213e06bc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6104b50028c5","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Why did you choose to volunteer with PANDA?"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"911f954c33a2","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3668bcaf4710","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I had always wanted to volunteer with PANDA because I loved the idea of supporting parents as they navigate this often-tricky season of life. Having had my own lived experience I understood the importance of someone listening and holding space for me to tell my story and I really wanted to be able to give back and provide that for others. 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The work we do at PANDA is so important and each time a caller says \"thank you for listening\" or that speaking with us has made a big difference in their lives my heart does a little happy dance."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"datePublished":"2023-10-31","header":{"_type":"pageHeader","background":{"title":"brightTeal20","value":"#E1F9F7"},"headline":"Meet our volunteers: Marley","image":{"_type":"imageWithAlt","asset":{"_ref":"image-f807353c80053dac46d7bf70488af4e9a2c83050-1509x1134-jpg","_type":"reference"}},"text":[{"_key":"f9def21b49f6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ba16112b626c","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Get to know PANDA's volunteers."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},"modules":[{"_key":"d5cf979e087e","_type":"storyCollection","background":{"title":"peach80","value":"#FFD29D"},"eyebrow":"Stories","population":"select","posts":[],"profiles":[{"_key":"a2fbc77f09a8","_ref":"cec3cf12-e970-4b7a-905c-eee78a48e2ed","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"4ec42c32fd81","_ref":"8a828c00-d258-41b6-808d-3ae8f64b37a6","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"d8adad59c9a6","_ref":"891b5bb4-70a0-4aa4-9d69-d64e9c1c9608","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"7523d9f83216","_ref":"61299089-fc56-429c-92bf-ea65cb990c7b","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"114ab6843c26","_ref":"4460435e-608e-477d-a377-7fdc7fbd972e","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"9fa92715f0ea","_ref":"17516176-ce8f-4a2b-89d6-30906f955bc1","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"1b5b51edf4c0","_ref":"0482be9f-b52f-4a5d-9a22-4a8d2e93174d","_type":"reference"}],"storyType":"volunteerStory"}],"relatedVolunteerStories":[],"seo":{"_type":"seo","metaDescription":"In this series, we invite you to get to know our volunteers. 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More than 30 years on, PANDA has a large integrated workforce of paid and volunteer professionals working together to support new and expecting parents and deliver perinatal mental health support."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"datePublished":"2022-02-14","header":{"_type":"pageHeader","background":{"title":"brightTeal20","value":"#E1F9F7"},"headline":"Peer support volunteers","image":{"_type":"imageWithAlt","alt":"mum outside holding her baby","asset":{"_ref":"image-de18bc564cab5dbd9c3772a3642b0ec1fd053f01-5472x3648-jpg","_type":"reference"}},"text":[{"_key":"4d7a332b8e10","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"bd89e1e3bc81","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Volunteer to deliver mental health support to expecting and new parents "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},"modules":[{"_key":"8e7a824d433b","_type":"faqBlock","noNumbers":true,"questions":[{"_key":"ee0850bdcc21","_type":"faq","answer":[{"_key":"ae4f2f3fd99d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e6c55686cce7","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Peer Support Volunteers have had life-changing personal experiences with challenges in the perinatal period. Volunteers in the Peer Support Program provide phone and web-based peer support, information and referrals to new and expecting parents who are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress or challenges adjusting to the transition to parenthood. As valued members of PANDA’s National Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Helpline team, Peer Support Volunteers provide a unique service that complements clinical support and works closely alongside PANDA’s clinical teams."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"88035465eb3e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"315ff0ffd1fe","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"We ask that Peer Support Volunteers attend one four-hour shift per week for a minimum of 18 months. To allow PANDA to continue providing much-needed and reliable peer support to the community, we require all prospective applicants to carefully consider their capacity to commit to this."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"275a7669f7c1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f1f757fba49f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA’s Peer Support Program receives great interest and places within the program are in high demand."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"question":[{"_key":"2d5fa59f1831","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c6d1659cc18c","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"What's involved? "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"_key":"b4a1ad0803ad","_type":"faq","answer":[{"_key":"90e00990ca70","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"13e6fcbdeded0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA is highly invested in training and support of Peer Support Volunteers. Recruits to the volunteer team are supported through a comprehensive training program comprising of online learning, group sessions and observation opportunities. While significant personal lived experience is the core requirement of becoming a Peer Support Volunteer, training provides a forum to learn and refine skills, knowledge and experience in the effective use of peer support."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"7c3829ac60ef","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5f9e92925b730","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA’s peer support training program is continually evolving to align with best practice peer support, recovery and volunteer involvement frameworks. Multiple intakes across the year and a variety of training programs, allow PANDA’s robust peer program to grow in response to the needs of the community."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"386bce390e4c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"33515af9a78f0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"On successful completion of training, volunteers are supported with ongoing supervision, and opportunities for reflective practice, skill development and professional development."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"question":[{"_key":"f24dbd2e98ae","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3a9c971d14d2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"What does training involve? "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"_key":"87d388aef3ea","_type":"faq","answer":[{"_key":"b90ef06122fb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"eb4fc2acc17b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Peer Support Volunteers have had life changing challenges and experiences during the perinatal period. Peer Support Volunteers draw on these experiences to support new and expectant parents who are also experiencing challenges during the transition to parenthood."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"226fba8d54ab","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"70f2735ae0c90","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Equity and diversity are integral to PANDA and we are continually working towards building a diverse workforce that represents and supports the community we serve. We strongly encourage and support applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, dads, young parents, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ, non-birth parents, and people in rural and remote communities."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"13c568085ff1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b01ed398d5b00","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA has a hybrid workforce with options to work from our office in North Fitzroy in Melbourne or remotely via online platforms. As a result of our hybrid workforce we can accept applicants from across Australia."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"db891f6f8bbd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e9b2df55a07c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In addition to significant lived experience, PANDA requires volunteers to:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e9d20a8cff7c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"bd348f75f4f10","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Demonstrate hope and model principles and characteristics of recovery"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"60c3ffb04865","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"08610c1b726e0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Bring a strong commitment to supporting the community"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"6c00b653729c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cf45ce3150140","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Undertake a police check and hold a current Working with Children Check"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"304f760dbbbf","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b1c352fdb2a50","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"PANDA Peer Support Volunteers do not provide specialist bereavement support. For parents who have experienced bereavement and are seeking opportunities to volunteer with a focus on these experiences, we recommend considering volunteer options with specialised helplines such as SANDS and Red Nose Foundation."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"question":[{"_key":"ed86e4f2fdb1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"08533ef81fbd","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Who can volunteer? "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}],"title":"Become a Peer Support Volunteer"},{"_key":"8a09bcf6fcbe","_type":"faqBlock","noNumbers":true,"questions":[{"_key":"734c74090e7e","_type":"faq","answer":[{"_key":"312520f942db","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7794ece8d4660","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Every person’s recovery journey is different. Whatever your experience has been, to volunteer with PANDA, it is crucial that you are sufficiently recovered so that you can volunteer safely."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"9970a2b11b6a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d93ba4ce64330","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Being a Peer Support Volunteer will involve listening to people describe confronting and distressing experiences and feelings. Good support and debriefing is always available, but resilience and ‘robustness’ is essential in order to do this work."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"question":[{"_key":"2b20c175bdb5","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"da2ff8977091","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Recovery and resilience"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"_key":"95a6e6f4064d","_type":"faq","answer":[{"_key":"fc7b3fd2ffdc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"63290ee2c6e50","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Everyone needs good support, whether from family, friends or health professionals. At PANDA, we talk a lot about the importance of self-care and seeking support when needed. This is crucial for our staff and volunteers, as well as for those seeking support via the National Helpline."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e4955f4a3244","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ec5585a77acd0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Some people continue to experience episodes of anxiety, depression or other difficulties well after recovering from their perinatal experiences. If this is the case for you, it does not preclude you from volunteering with PANDA. However, it makes it particularly important that you have strong ongoing support networks and resources, andthat you areable to seek support from them as needed."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"question":[{"_key":"64b2f0cf338d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"210d59e768ed0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Having good supports around you"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"_key":"41dd71e5b97a","_type":"faq","answer":[{"_key":"cd9e08b76534","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"16d363cf1fa30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"If you are interested in applying to volunteer with PANDA, the first step is to consider your readiness and to discuss it with your family, friends or other supports. Here are some questions it is worthwhile exploring:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a2dde3dc0a58","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"8d8483e00dbc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Do you still have a strong need or desire to talk about your own experience of perinatal depression/anxiety or other challenges?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"9713f5772df0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ee4f67ba4b670","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does your passion to help others feel more important/bigger than your own personal experience?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"bd9ecc4cb676","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"657ca957b7150","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Is your main purpose to help people in the community and increase awareness of perinatal depression and anxiety and other challenges in the perinatal period?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"93b878fd3e3f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"55d0c6ae89110","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Can you listen to other people’s stories and not find yourself relating to your own experience constantly?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fa7bb33a42c4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e78ed54f3c0c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Do you find yourself thinking, ‘if only’, ‘what if I’d..’ ? Is your own experience still in the here and now, and not in the past?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"abc345453090","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6b9b36c345260","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Do you now view your own experience as more positive than negative?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c96e8cac373d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d3ac41b48bca0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"These questions may help you think about whether now is the right time for you to volunteer at PANDA."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"question":[{"_key":"72f7bd5f3b15","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c126cb5e42ab","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Questions to ask yourself"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}],"title":"Are you ready? "},{"_key":"c19a7d60458d","_type":"freeText","eyebrow":"Application process","text":[{"_key":"15ca0fe5e68e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5128b08245470","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The Peer Support Volunteer program is a competitive program with limited positions. Intake and training occurs at certain times throughout the year. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"99150a86a142","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"343775b21790","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Applications are currently closed. Our Community Champions volunteer program is a feeder for many Peer Support volunteers. If you would like to join PANDA as a Community Champion, find out more:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d8de46d31a92","_type":"button","link":{"_type":"link","blank":true,"document":{"_ref":"0433d6ee-e558-44b4-bdd2-a285cdf39d23","_type":"reference"},"linkType":"internal"},"style":"box","text":"Become a PANDA Community Champion"}]}],"relatedArticles":[{"_key":"02df4640493a","_ref":"0433d6ee-e558-44b4-bdd2-a285cdf39d23","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"fc682ffb3757","_ref":"8e6d3a3e-7ad2-4a93-a852-d7f5fda6be8f","_type":"reference"},{"_key":"36763d04dc25","_ref":"b700e4c1-c28a-4659-810d-d9918c505cd2","_type":"reference"}],"seo":{"_type":"seo","metaDescription":"Volunteer to deliver mental health support to expecting and new parents ","metaTitle":"Peer Support Volunteers","socialImage":{"_type":"image","asset":{"_ref":"image-9578ca71722464c8260d4787938d35f3d111694b-1200x630-png","_type":"reference"}}},"showFeedbackForm":true,"sidebarPosts":[{"_key":"f4fc5d716113","_ref":"4a1d87dc-0072-4564-b8c3-ac47ac61a462","_type":"reference"}],"sidebarTitle":"Helpful Information","slug":{"_type":"slug","current":"peer-support-volunteers"},"title":"Peer Support Volunteers","id":"-99785a57-66ff-5112-8428-0f565d65c88b","children":[],"internal":{"type":"SanityArticle","contentDigest":"a639c50e9287c1a7580c6f9c16561916","owner":"gatsby-source-sanity","counter":24934},"parent":null,"__gatsby_resolved":{"slug":{"current":"peer-support-volunteers"}}},"linkType":"internal"},"style":"box","text":"Read more"}]},{"_key":"8c8bfc9214de","_type":"articleCollection","include":null,"eyebrow":"Articles","title":null,"population":"select","posts":[{"title":"What happens when I call the PANDA Helpline? 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