Parent mentors honoured for service

Twenty parent mentors were recognised by the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) for service to their communities.

The mentors, representing 24 parent clubs, were honoured at the first annual Parent Mentors Awards ceremony held recently at Awards were presented for Parent Support Leader of the Year, Parent Support Manager of the Year, Parent Mentor of the Year, Best Team Spirit, Best Performing Cluster, Best Performing Region; and Best Programme Innovation.

The NPSC's mentorship programme is a voluntary initiative designed to provide assistance and support to that are families at risk or in need.

The mentors, all volunteers, undergo training in effective parenting and practical fieldwork before being deployed in the communities.

Director of Parenting Support Coordination and Behaviour Change at the NPSC, Peta-Gay Waugh, said there are 38 active parent mentors.

She noted that the programme, which was launched in 2014, has been revamped.

"We have included home-visit strategies, we have strengthened the conflict-resolution mediation module, with the Dispute Resolution Foundation coming on board to conduct the training," she said.