SINGLETON FAMILY SUPPORT SCHEME HISTORY

In April 1989 funding was granted to form a working party to look into the formation of a Family Support Service in Singleton .  At the first Committee Meeting held on the 8th April 1989 the name of Singleton Family Support Scheme was decided on and the decision made to incorporate the Scheme.

Singleton Family Support initially operated from a rented room at Singleton Neighbourhood Centre for a period of three months.  It employed a Co-ordinator, Administration Officer and three Family Workers.  The Service was then moved into premises  in William Street where it was housed for the next three years. 

Playgroup with a Difference (PWAD) was formed in April 1992 and is still very much a part of the Service today.  It is run on Wednesday and Thursday mornings during school terms and called Playgroup With A Difference because during the first hour parents are together with their children and during the second hour, parents have the opportunity to “time out” on our premises while the children are cared for by our Childcare Worker and Volunteers.

 A number of our employees over the years started as  volunteers for the Service, in various positions and periods of time, prior to gaining paid employment with the Organisation.

In September 1992 Singleton Family Support moved into its  new premises at Singleton Hospital, Boonal Street,  where the Service is still located today. 

SERVICE PUBLICITY

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers play an important role in enhancing the lives of users of the services at Singleton Family Support Scheme Inc.

They allow more quality time to be spent on a one-on-one basis with both parents and children at our Child Care facility.  That is why Family Support, a State Government funded organisation, is recruiting new volunteers to make sure it can continue to play such a pivotal role in its users lives.

Co-ordinator at Family Support, Judy Grainger, said becoming a volunteer provides an opportunity for local people to share and actively participate in the Community.

“The one day course will explain the roles of volunteers within the Organisation, their rights and responsibilities”, said Judy.

“It will give potential volunteers the opportunity to gauge whether they are suited to the position and how exactly they can fit in”.

Judy said the Service has two volunteers working on a regular basis but was hoping to bolster its resources.