Help is at hand for new mums thanks to volunteer peer supporters who back the WellSouth programme Mums4Mums in Alexandra, and friendships and laughs are only a cup of tea away.

Hannah Lind, the wife and mother of two, community volunteer, wedding celebrant, catering assistant is one of the experienced volunteer peer supporter for Mums4Mums in Alexandra.

This welcoming group of mothers, mothers to be and peer supporters meet regularly to talk about “anything and everything” and to support each other through the journey of early parenthood. 

Some mothers say being the mum of babies or small children can feel like moving to another planet. Moments of breathtaking exhilaration offset with times of excruciating bewilderment and disorientation. Hannah know from experience, as she’s been there. 

“When I had my first baby I joined an incredible parent support group in South Canterbury where we were living. My peer supporter saw me through the challenges of breastfeeding but above all helped me gain real confidence with being a parent.”

When her supporter left she felt she wanted to give back so she took on the role of a peer supporter herself.

Growing up on a sheep farm in Mataura Island Hannah liked the idea of farming more than the reality.

“As a teenager I wandered around the farm with a poetry book tucked under my arm,” she said. 

A bus ride to Southland Girls High an hour's drive gave Hannah time to contemplate her future. “I toyed with being a vet... an Olympic ice skater... and a writer.”

Real romance came when she met her future husband Clement, a pupil at Southland Boys, at an after party for a school production. 

Hannah achieved a certificate of Theatre, Television and Radio at Aoraki Polytech and worked for eight years as an ad writer and news reader for Mediaworks in Dunedin. 

A move to Fairlie for her husband's work gave Hannah an appreciation of the challenges of making a new start and the need for support as a young wife and mother.

“I joined the lovely local knitting group for companionship but babies bring a whole new level of neediness,” she said. 

Now living in Alexandra with her husband and two children (9 and 6) and cat, Hannah said she loves her local community.

She swims regularly and helps her sister in law's catering business. 

Hannah’s job as a wedding celebrant is a source of pure joy. “I’m part of people’s happiest day. It's really uplifting.” 

Her volunteer role as a Peer Supporter is equally rewarding. Mums4Mums has an open door policy and mothers can come and go as they please. The kids can come too, sometimes there are guest speakers and there’s baking. 

The peer supporters have been through the challenges of early parenthood themselves and remember vividly what it is like.

“Sometimes we talk about breastfeeding and nappies and sometimes it’s about what's on TV,” Hannah said.

Aside from the relaxed chatting, things can get real when challenges are shared, and ongoing friendships can result.

“We want mothers to know they are never a failure. The journey may be different from what they expected but they haven't failed.

“Being a mother is not all about white linen and Instagram perfection. It can be messy, confusing and lonely. We want them to know they aren’t alone in having these feelings and that this is a phase that won’t last forever.” 

Hannah’s role is at its most rewarding when she sees mums grow in confidence.

“Over time they move from being terrified, overwhelmed and unsure to becoming confident, comfortable and like they have been parents all their lives. In turn they can support other mothers. It's a lovely circle.” 

Hannah said her volunteer role is the perfect fit for her.

“I get way more out of it than I give...Volunteering enriches my life and is super gratifying.”

The Alexandra Mums4Mums group meets several times a month to support mothers of young children. They're in need of more peer supporters and would welcome new members too, if you would like to know more contact Jo O’Conner, on 027 210 4716

At Volunteering South-Central Lakes, we can discuss your skills and goals for volunteering and help make the perfect match.

Volunteer South is a charitable trust that engages and supports both tūao volunteers and volunteers involving organisations and community groups in the Southern region of Aotearoa New Zealand. Thanks to Juliette Hicks, Volunteer South for her contribution to this profile story.