Peer Support Network
Peer support is the process of sharing experiences and providing knowledge, emotional, social or practical help obtained through similar situations.
Our Peer Support Network was formed in 2017 to deliver services across 10 regions in South Australia.
We have a team of 9 experienced foster and kinship carers with a combined 72 years of caring experience who are available to have a chat, listen and share their own experiences with other Carers, helping them to connect with others and feel less isolated.
Our Peer Support Network volunteers come from a diverse range of backgrounds and have experienced various challenges, issues, and successes. They have joined together in training to deliver this service and are ready to offer a ‘listening ear’ and help other Carers to explore various aspects of foster and kinship care in a supportive environment.
If you would like one of our Peer Support volunteers to contact you, please email support@cfc-sa.org.au or call 1800 737 272, noting the area you live in (either suburb or general region) and your phone number.
N.B. Peer Support is not to be confused with advocacy, rather it is a complementary service. Our Peer Support Network will refer any issues to our staff team for further follow up.
To find out who is your Peer Support volunteer, please click on the relevant region below:
Hi my name is Matthew and I am the Peer Support volunteer for the Northern metro region.
My wife and I have been kinship carers for the past 9 years. We have children of our own (2 have children of their own which makes me a grand-dad!), and along with our kinship children our 16yr old son lives with us full time. To add to the family, we also have a child friendly dog. I love being a kinship dad and being able to open my home up to kids who don’t have anywhere safe to live. I really enjoy watching them grow up in a safe and happy environment and to see them achieve their goals and ambitions. I look forward to helping other carers who need any moral support or just an ear to listen.
Location: Northern Metro
Type of Carer: Kinship
Length of time caring: 12 years
Length of time as a Peer Support Network worker: 3 years
Benefits of caring journey:
To see them grow and develop into young adults and be confident in themselves
What do you like about volunteering with carers:
As a male carer I'd like to be a voice for male carers who think they don't have a voice
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
We are all carers and understand how carers feel
Hi my name is Heidi. I am the Peer Support volunteer for the Southern Metro region.
My husband and I emigrated from the UK in 2003 and we became foster parents in 2005. For the past 11 years, we have been parents of 4 long term children, but it doesn’t stop there. We already had 5 birth children so we are the proud parents (sometimes exhausted parents!) of 9 children. We are also the grandparents of 6 grandchildren.
My husband and I are committed passionate carers. We have attended the IFCO conference in Sydney and we care together as a team. We find our lives are always interesting, sometimes crazy, but most of all our house is full of love.
Location: Southern Metro
Type of Care: Therapeutic long term
Length of time caring: 14.5 years
Length of time as a Peer Support Worker: 3 years
Benefits of Caring:
A sense of giving something back to the community, helping children in need, providing a safe home
Why I like about volunteering with carers:
I’ve been on this bumpy journey and really appreciated a kind understanding ear when I’ve needed someone to listen. This isn’t an easy journey but with support it can be very rewarding and successful
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
I wish people knew about the Peer Support Service as it could really benefit many Carers.
Hi my name is Wendy and I represent the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island region as the CFC-SA’s Peer Support volunteer. I have been a foster carer for nearly 6 years, doing long-term, emergency, short term and respite care.
I decided to take on this volunteer role as I hope to help other carers negotiate the highs and lows that come with the role we have taken on, inviting children to be part of our families.
My husband and I have one son and live on a beef cattle property. I have had experience as an enrolled nurse, a Christian pastoral support worker in my local school, as well as being involved in the local scout group and church. I look forward to supporting and meeting other carers in my region.
Location: Fleurieu Peninsula
Type of Carer: Long term, respite and emergency
Length of time caring: 8 yrs
Length of time as a Peer Support Network worker: 3 yrs
Benefits of caring journey:
Helping young people reach their full potential. Meeting so many amazing carers.
What do you like about volunteering with carers:
When we started our carers journey we were always seeking support from other carers, so like to think I can also help others where ever possible.
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
That a problem shared is always helpful, that we are not alone, people are there to listen to you and maybe have suggestions to help or other places to go for help.
Hi my name is Narelle and I am the Peer Support volunteer for the Adelaide Hills and Murray Mallee regions.
I have been a foster carer for 6 years and recently became a kinship carer too. My 3 beautiful children are all on long term orders but I also have experience with short term, emergency and respite care. I am a teacher, singer and marriage celebrant in amongst raising my family with my husband on our property in the hills. I am also a volunteer on the Hills Community Carers Forum. I am looking forward to supporting carers and children in home based care.
Location: Adelaide Hills
Type of Carer:
Foster and Kinship, long term but have done emergency, respite and short term. One of our children came to us via an interstate transfer
Length of time caring: 9 years
Length of time as a Peer Support Network worker: 3 years
Benefits of caring journey:
Watching our children achieve their milestones, educating the wider community about fostering, breaking down stigma, myths and stereotypes, meeting other carers
What do you like about volunteering with carers:
We have similar ideas or experiences and there is kindness, understanding and empathy in abundance
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
That it is a safe way for carers to vent, discuss issues or seek information and support from carers who have walked a similar journey and who genuinely care!
Currently this area is vacant.
If you would like to consider being a Peer Support Volunteer and live in this area, with a minimum of 3yrs experience being a foster or kinship carer, please contact us to discuss the role.
If you are a carer seeking Peer Support, please ring 1800 732 272 and we will put you in contact with one of our Peer Support volunteers who will be able to assist you.
Hi my name is Michelle and I am the Peer Support volunteer for the Limestone Coast.
With my husband, I have had 10 year’s experience of foster caring – in emergency, respite, long and short term and also reunification care. I have a passion for reunification and helping children bond with their birth family and try and work towards good communication. We have enjoyed our journey as a family providing the love and support, as needed, with wonderful relationships that continue today. Both my husband and I are happy that we have made a difference in a child’s life and the work we have done during our foster carer experience.
Location: Limestone Coast
Type of Carer: Long term, short term, emergency, respite and reunification
Length of time caring: We provided 10 years of care
Length of time as a Peer Support Network worker: 3 Years
Benefits of caring journey:
To make a difference in a child’s life is such an experience and growth within, while offering support and a stable home is rewarding enough and the long term connections formed with other carers and families
What do you like about volunteering with carers:
It’s an amazing opportunity to offer support to carers who may have experienced similar caring or life experiences, challenges and know someone else is out there to talk to
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
PSN has an amazing team of carers supporting and sharing our life experiences to the carer communities within South Australia and to know you're not alone and support is available
Hi my name is Jackie. I am the Peer Support volunteer for the Eyre/Western region based in Port Lincoln. I have been a foster carer for the past 6 years providing emergency, respite, short and long term placements to children from a wide variety of backgrounds and needs.
I became a carer because I believe every child deserves love and nurturing. As a mother of 3, now adult children, I knew I could offer this to children in need. I am looking forward to offering support and encouragement for carers to help them overcome any difficulties or fears they may be having.
Location: Eyre and Western
Type of Carer:
Foster Carer - Long Term (2 children who came to me before each of their long term orders went through), Emergency, Short Term and Respite Care
Length of time caring: 8 years
Length of time as a Peer Support Network worker: 3 years
Benefits of caring journey:
Satisfaction in seeing children grow and prosper, a sense of achievement from helping children overcome adversity
What do you like about volunteering with carers:
Being able to offer support and encouragement to others who are on a similar journey
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
I actually wish more people knew about the PSN! Also that we are here to offer a supportive and confidential listening ear for any issues or fears carers may be experiencing
Currently this area is vacant.
If you would like to consider being a Peer Support Volunteer and live in this area, with a minimum of 3yrs experience being a foster or kinship carer, please contact us to discuss the role.
Hi my name is Kelly. I am a mother of 5 children – 4 biological children and 1 foster son. I am also a full time respite and emergency carer. I have been a mother for 25 years and a foster carer for 5 years. I am Aboriginal and I work as a youth worker in schools, liaising with families from all cultures.
I am confident through my life experiences that I will be able to provide guidance and support to other foster and kinship carers in my region.
Location: Far and Mid North, Flinders Ranges Area
Type of Carer: Fulltime, Respite and Emergency carer
Length of time caring: 7 years
Length of time as a Peer Support Network worker: 3 years
Benefits of caring journey:
Giving and showing children a caring loving environment for as long as they are in my family's care
What do you like about volunteering with carers:
Giving support, advice and information to others
What do you wish people knew about the Peer Support Network:
What we do and that we have valuable knowledge and support
“We are not alone, we can request help, support is always available” (Carer)