Building Networks of Care: Volunteers Partnering with Teachers in Supporting Vulnerable Children

Abstract

In this paper we argue that community volunteers may partner with schools to holistically support vulnerable children, as well as their families and community members on a broad level. More specifically, we present a case where community volunteers (n=35) have been partnering with primary school teachers in developing and implementing school-community supportive plans, focusing on prevention, health promotion, counselling and intervention initiatives. In mobilising this school-community partnership, partners – as lay counsellors – relied on sound networks amongst themselves, yet also on other eco-systemic levels. Our paper stems from a participatory action research study, involving researchers, teachers and community volunteers (society) as research partners.