We are looking for up to 10 multiple birth parents to sign up to be part of our new buddy program. We are doing a three month trial to begin with to enable us to see how it will work and what will suit our members best.

There are no restrictions on when you can sign up as a Multi Mentee - you may still be pregnant with your multiples or they maybe much older and about to start school. You would sign up to this program if you are looking to connect with another multiple birth parent who is ahead of you in their multiple birth journey.

Please read the program overview, aims and rules below before signing up to this program.

We have a set of questions for you so that we can match you up with a parent who is going through a similar experience as best we can. You only need to answer what you feel is important for your experience.

Once you have filled in the questions, grab your free ticket to register as a Multi Mentee

Thank you!

Program Overview

The MBSA Buddy Program is a volunteer program facilitated by the MBSA committee where MBSA members volunteer to be a point of contact for other parents of multiples who are facing a similar journey. The role of the more experienced mentor is to provide peer support through their lived experience to the other member.

Multiple Birth SA’s aim talks about providing “a network of connections across South Australia to empower them to thrive”. This program is all about creating connections between members and helping to provide that network.

Program Aim

The program aims to:
● Connect multiple birth parents to allow them to provide peer support, and
● Enable those with older multiples to give back to the multi community.

This is another way for members to connect. There are many members who may not feel comfortable reaching out on the members forum or otherwise unable to attend play groups or events and this may suit them better.

Secondly, this program gives the mentor an opportunity to give back to the community at a one on one level. Not everyone will want or be able to volunteer for the committee or support roles but would love to personally support another member.

Terminology

We will use the following terms:
● Multi Mentor - for the more experienced member,
● Multi Mentee - for the member looking for support, and
● Buddy - to refer to both Multi Mentor and Multi Mentee.

Rules

1. Buddies are not to give medical or legal advice. All members should contact their general practitioner, maternal and child health nurse or paediatrician if they are concerned about any aspect of their child’s health or development.

2. Respect your buddy’s privacy and do not share what they have told you unless you have explicitly asked for permission to do so.

3. As this program is for peer support only it is not a requirement to hold a current Working With Children Check, be fully vaccinated or have a current First Aid Certificate, as visiting and babysitting are outside the scope of the program. You may meet up in person, but this is a personal decision between the buddies.

4. Any issues must be raised with the MBSA committee. This may include things such as:

• Being concerned about your buddy and how they are coping with multi life,

• Lack of contact from your buddy, 

• No longer being able to participate in the program, or

• Not connecting with your buddy for whatever reason,

The committee will then deal with the matter appropriately which may include providing the family with extra support or changing buddy matchings.