mmg.com.au

It’s a sunny Friday morning in Shepparton and friends Catherine Pitsiladis and Tegan White are catching up.

Catherine’s six-month-old son Jacob sits happily on her lap, while Tegan’s daughter Piper, 20 months, has a box full of toys and books to keep her occupied.

As Catherine and Tegan chat, it’s hard to believe that a year ago, the pair had never met.

They are part of The Bridge Youth Service’s young parents mentoring program, an initiative that pairs young mums and dads with local volunteer mentors.

The project began mid-last year and co-ordinator Linda King said it provided young parents with support, understanding and friendship.

‘‘It’s about linking young parents with members of the community to support them,’’ she said.

‘‘Not everyone has family support and they could be new to the area and not know what’s available in the community.

‘‘They support them with anything from transport to doctors’ appointments to just being there as a friend, going for a coffee or linking them in with things that are happening in the community.’’

Catherine, 17, said Tegan often helped her with transport and shopping, as well as being there for a chat and coffee every week or so.

The mentors agreed they got just as much out of the program.

Mentor Di Rhodes said she enjoyed the relationship with her mentee, Amber Butler and her daughter, Heidi, 3.

‘‘I suppose I really wanted to get involved to do something for the community,’’ Ms Rhodes said.

‘‘Then I read about the mentor program ... so I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll give this a go and see what happens’, and the more I looked into it I thought this was a really good program.

‘‘Since meeting Amber and Heidi, I’ve a gained new friend. Heidi’s just fantastic and every time I think, ‘Oh I can’t do this’, I think, ‘Oh, I bet Amber could find a way to do it’. Every time I hit a brick wall, I know Amber could do that.’’

Ms King said the project, which began in July last year, had received a ‘‘huge response from the community’’ — so much so, the service was now looking for more young parents to get on board.

‘‘We trained 16 mentors in August and we’re now in the process of matching them up (with mentees), we’ve had some really great outcomes and they all just love it,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s difficult at first to sell it to them (the young parents), but once they’re in they just love it.’’

Anyone interested in the program is urged to phone The Bridge Youth Service on 58312390.