The Peer Mentor Program is designed to enable relationships between Peer Mentors (bereaved parents who have completed Peer Mentor training) and newly-bereaved parents. The trained Peer Mentors develop a supportive peer relationship with the newly-bereaved parent, offering empathy, guidance and a listening ear through a series of regular catch-ups, which can be online or in-person depending on the preferences of the participants.
Who can access the Peer Mentor Program?
The Ladybird Care Peer Mentor Program is available free-of-charge to all parents grieving the loss of a child who has died. We acknowledge parenting is a lifelong role and extend care to bereaved parents whose child died at any age, from infancy into adulthood.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required for this community initiative. All costs of running the program are sponsored by donors of Ladybird Care Foundation.
Who are the mentors?
Mentors are other parents whose child has died. Mentors are at least two years bereaved before selection and training for the program. Mentors receive thorough training and supervision by bereavement care professionals to ensure the safety of all participants.
What commitment is involved?
After completing an expression of interest, you will be invited to have a video call with the Program Manager, to discuss your needs and expectations of the program. From there, you will be matched with a mentor who will receive a basic profile with your details. The mentor will then reach out to you, usually by text message, to arrange a meeting time. The regularity and length of meetings is completely up to you and your mentor, according to your needs.
The Program Manager will check in with you, about 3 months into your mentoring relationship, to check how things are going for you.
Mentors commit to meet with Mentees for 15 months, at which point a review will be carried out to determine whether it is appropriate to conclude the mentoring relationship or continue the relationship for another defined period.
What are the benefits of participating in the Peer Mentor Program?
A universally-reported experience of bereaved parents has been the struggle to feel understood in the depth and totality of their grief after losing a child. Previous Mentees in the Peer Mentor Program have reported that they appreciated being able to speak with someone who could relate to their experience. Other reported benefits have been decreased feelings of loneliness and an increased sense of hope. Some Mentees have spoken about how their mentoring relationship has assisted them with finding meaning for the future.
What about grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles?
At this stage, the Peer Mentor Program is only offered to bereaved parents. We welcome any expressions of interest from other family members to be taken into consideration for future program development.
What do previous participants have to say about the program?
“I had a lot of outside support but mostly not bereaved…they couldn’t see into our hearts and know our exact experience...they care about you, but it’s different. If it’s a bereaved parent you feel more validated and understood. The Peer Mentor Program is the only one where we felt a genuine connection. It’s the one that stood out to us as the most personal.”
“Just do it! So you have someone to speak with that isn’t direct family…independent but still knows how you feel.”
How do I sign up?
For more information regarding the Peer Mentor Program complete the Expression of Interest here or email mentoring@ladybirdcare.org.au
