Who we are

We are a Sydney-based non-profit organisation. We train, supervise, and mentor volunteers who are parents themselves, to offer flexible, empathic, in-home emotional support from the last trimester of pregnancy through the first year of a baby's life.

In 2018 Mum for Mum was recognised for our role in strengthening family wellbeing, with the prestigious NSW Government NAPCAN award. Watch the video to hear from our team, volunteers and mothers. Our program has expanded significantly since this time.

Our vision

A world in which every baby is given the chance to thrive in their critical first year

"Our aim is to affirm the joy of motherhood and to enable the mother to be fully attuned to her child's needs."
Nadene Alhadeff, CEO Mum for Mum

Given the changes in people's lifestyles, where most parents are not living in close proximity to their families or the supports with which they grew up, our aim is to reduce isolation and relieve anxiety and depression by creating a safe and caring space in which parents delight in their babies and establish a secure attachment.

Our impact

“Mum for Mum provides a unique service that in my 30 years in the field I have seen many organisations strive for, but few able to achieve. This is weekly emotional support and mentoring by the same highly trained volunteer for an entire year. Given the vagaries of the health-care system, I know this is extremely hard to achieve.”

Professor Marie-Paule Austin

Past Director of Perinatal Psychiatry at the Royal Hospital for Women and the St John of God Mother-Baby unit

Mum for Mum Ambassador, Professor Marie-Paule Austin

Our Champions

Professor Marie-Paule Austin

Dr Nicole Highet

Rosemary Kariuki OAM

Dr Michael Zilibowitz

Professor Felicia Huppert

Awards

NAPCAN 'Play Your Part' Award

Waverley Council Local Hero Award

City of Sydney and Eastern Suburbs Volunteer Team of the Year Award

Australia Day Community Service Award

Wellbeing Award from the Australian Psychological Society

Community recognition

2022 Mum for Mum impact pathway demonstrated in new Theory of Change funded by the NSW Govt
2021 Mum for Mum awarded NSW Govt Social Sector Transformation Grant
2020 Nadene Alhadeff represents Mum for Mum on Boards of WHAM global and Jewish Suicide Prevention Strategy
2018 NAPCAN Play Your Part Award (NSW) National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
2018 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year Award from the Centre for Volunteering
2018 Waverley Council Local Hero Award for the role of the volunteers
2018 Australia Day Community Serivce Award to Nadene Alhadeff for "outstanding service to the community of the City of Randwick"
2017 Woollahra Council Community Grant
2016 HESTA Community Sector Communication Award 2016
2014 Wellbeing Award from the Sydney branch of the Australian Psychological Society
2013 Woollahra Council Citizenship Award

Our story

Mum for Mum has been supporting the transition to parenthood since 2008

By 2024 Mum for Mum had supported over 3,000 families from more than 70 nationalities. Of the parents supported:

90% socially isolated
80% at risk of mental ill health
20% single mothers
20% over the age of 40

Mum for Mum is a non-denominational community outreach initiative founded and supported by the National Council of Jewish Women NSW. The service was expanded to the North Shore of Sydney in 2017 and the Northern Beaches in 2022. Growth is underway in Sydney’s Inner West. 

The program is based on the Boston Jewish Family & Children's Service Visiting Moms Program initiated in 1992; and the Em I'Em Program, Israel.

We aim to expand our reach and continue to build deep and meaningful connections across communities in Australia.

Evaluating outcomes

Mum for Mum regularly interviews program participants and volunteers. Formal evaluation of the program supported by best evidence, demonstrates the following main benefits:

For mums:
•    increased confidence in parenting skills
•    improved ability to develop friendships and support networks
•    improved access to other health or welfare services
•    feeling less isolated, depressed, or anxious

For mums and volunteers:
•    improved emotional and social wellbeing
•    improved family relationships
•    increased opportunity for employment

For volunteers:
•    a sense of fulfilment and personal development

"Mum for Mum provides a truly exceptional service to new parents, that is both practical and nurturing.
I can confidently say that all women who have received assistance have benefited immensely from their support. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to any new mum, or prospective new mum, who needs extra support, and in particular those new mums who have no family support, or no mum around."

Dr Rahul Sen, Obstetrician Gynaecologist

The evidence

Volunteer home visitation programs:
•    support the development of a stronger attachment between babies and parents
•    deliver sustained benefits in parenting skills and maternal self-esteem
•    play an essential role in supporting parents to engage with other services

Building parenting skills and abilities, especially in the first thousand days of a baby’s life, plays a critical role in child development and health outcomes for parents and children.

Read more about the research outcomes of volunteer home visiting programs for both families and volunteers here.

Our team

Nadene Alhadeff, CEO Mum for Mum
Karene Platus, North Shore Coordinator
Lyn Brand, North Shore Intake Officer
Elli Nohr, Personal Assistant
Diane Schaffer, Chair
Janine Silver, Director
Suzy Wolanski, Director
Jenna Myerson, Secretary
Nicci Elison, Treasurer
Rachel Szekely, Board Member
Merle Ware, Consultant
June Brooks, Northern Beaches Coordinator
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Margot Domabyl, PR & Communcations
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