About Dial-A-Mum

What is Dial-A-Mum?
Dial-A-Mum is a 7 days a week, 8am until 11pm, Telephone Support Service, provided anonymously and confidentially by Mothers from their own homes. The service was started in 1979 by Dr Paul Finlayson, a psychiatrist in the Hornsby area, and his wife Wendy, a trained nurse. It is self-funded, and has no religious affiliations. It is an Incorporated Association and a Registered Charity. Callers phone a central number (02 9477 6777) and calls are forwarded to the mothers at home on duty. Each call from a member of the community incurs a cost to Dial-A-Mum of a local call. The continuing high rate of calls from people requiring support from a "listening ear that cares", reaffirms the need for our service.

What does DAM do?
We provide callers in need with telephone support supplied by mothers at home who are backed-up by professional community workers. Dial-A-Mum aims to reduce the distress, isolation and suffering in the community.

Who calls DAM?
Members of the community, male and female, who need a listening ear.

What do people call about?
Any issue that is troubling them.

What does DAM offer?

How is DAM funded?
Dial-A-Mum is a registered charity with Gift Recipient Tax Deductibility status and meets its running costs through the fund raising efforts of its members and by community donations.

Who can become a volunteer?
Any mother in the community, over 21 years of age. All rostering, fund-raising, publicity and administration is carried out by volunteers. These mothers are already committed to the care of their families, often in the paid work force and some also volunteer for other organizations.

What training do volunteers receive?
Initial training is one morning a week for 12 weeks, followed by fortnightly workshops for ongoing education, debriefing, and supervision

ABN: 89656805157   CFN: 10440