Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL (Coogee) — I rise before the house today to congratulate Executive Director Nadene Alhadeff and her team at the MUM FOR MUM charity for the vital work they do. The program is a confidential, non-denominational, home visiting program where trained volunteers who are mothers themselves visit a vulnerable mother in her last trimester of pregnancy and for the first year of their baby's life in order to provide emotional support. MUM FOR MUM aims to relieve isolation and reduce anxiety and depression through creating a safe and caring space for mums to delight in their babies and develop secure attachment.

Their noble vision is that every baby is given the chance to thrive in their formative first year of life. MUM FOR MUM recently held a series of eight fundraisers in people's homes to bolster funding to support vulnerable new mothers, raising more than $30,000. There are currently 120 mothers being supported by 110 volunteers at a cost of $2000 per volunteer. Reported outcomes over time include increased parenting competence, confidence and well-being, increased community connectedness. The benefits for government include evidence-based cost effective service provision, eased demand on other services and community cohesion.