“Women Supporting Women”
ESTHERS Australia is a social entrepreneurship organisation, set up to drive social change for women, particularly during pregnancy and early parenting. In effect, producing lasting, transformational benefits to society and setting the field and our practitioners apart.
Our History
After years of working in community services it became glaringly obvious to our founder, Gaylene, that many community services were child focused but, few were women focused. Particularly apparent was the lack of support for women when they were pregnant, childless and dealing with hard situations. This, coupled with the personal experience of the co founding members of the organisation - lack of support during pregnancy and early parenting, isolation, loneliness, grief due to infant loss. unplanned/unsupported pregnancy, child safety involvement, family violence and raising children with disabilities - became the catalyst for opening our first hub in Hobart in 2015. Since then we have widened our reach significantly and now operate in Launceston and on the Sunshine Coast in QLD.
Our Operations
We see ourselves as gap fillers - filling in the gaps where there is no service - gaps that often prolong and exacerbate the obstacles that women face, particularly during pregnancy.
Our service operates from a strength based and social justice framework.
Our ultimate aim is,“to see women and children valued, supported, empowered and living free from fear in all of its forms, creating happier and healthier families and individuals.”
Our service offers a peer mentoring program coupled with professional support - case management, counselling and advocacy - in-home help, meal support, women’s connect groups, personal development and parenting programs and reproductive health education/information.
Programs facilitated by our service are designed to empower women and ultimately support them to overcome the obstacles that brought them to our service.
“We Come To You”
Our perinatal services, carried out by both case workers and mentors, are delivered via outreach - we meet people in their own homes (in-home perinatal support) and/or within local community spaces/offices.
Who Do We Serve?
The women who come to us for support are often feeling isolated, disconnected and/or lonely and contact us for support for many reasons, some of these are:
Pregnant with no other children in their care and in need of support or advocacy around child safety issues.
Pregnant and living with a disability and in need of advocacy and proper support and care.
Pregnant and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and in need of support and/or advocacy.
Pregnant and unsure whether to continue the pregnancy.
Pregnant and discovers during her pregnancy that her child may have a disability.
Pregnant or not and struggling with an intimate relationship family violence - to offer free education, information, counselling and support.
Pregnant or not and struggling with depression or other mental health conditions.
Pregnant or not and struggling due to physical illness (including chronic morning sickness.)
Pregnant and feeling overwhelmed with daily responsibilities.
Our client is - any woman who needs support.
We work with our new or extending mums until their baby is 1 year old.
If we are unable to support you we can help you find the people who can.
No matter what the reason - we are here to help you.
Our People
Our staff and volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds including but not limited to; Clinical Psychology, GP’s, Registered Nurses, Counsellor, Family Support Workers, Teaching, Midwifery, Parenting, Disability, Administration, Accountancy, IT specialist, Compliance and Fundraising.