By YASEMIN TALAT
A COMMUNITY program in Hobsons Bay will see two generations come together for the benefits of health and education.
Timehelp is a volunteer-based community program that connects retirees and young students from local government schools for education and well-being purposes.
National manager and founder Lisa Kingman said the program was beneficial for both the retirees and the students.
“Our volunteers help with a range of needs including classroom help, one to one reading, numeracy, kitchen gardens, lunchtime book and science clubs, helping refugee students and assisting in the library,” Ms Kingman said.
“We know schools need volunteer help and young people need positive older role models, but schools don’t have the time and resources to recruit, screen, train and match the volunteers and that is the role of Timehelp,” she said.
The program, which was made possible through funding from the Bennelong Foundation and Hobsons Bay Council, matches retirees as volunteers to the needs of students in primary and secondary schools across Hobsons Bay.
Timehelp has operated in Hobsons Bay for seven years and currently has 40 active volunteers lending a few hours each week to one of 11 schools.
Ms Kingman encouraged more volunteers to join the team and embrace the community activity.
“All we ask is that volunteers have an interest in helping young people get a great education,” Ms Kingman said.
“We help and guide them and provide professional development,” she said.
“Schools tell us they love the regular attendance of retirees, their great attitude and the fact that many of the kids don’t have a grandparent in their life.”
For more information visit www.timehelp.com.au or call Lisa 5277 3411.
