MANNING Pregnancy Support has helped countless local women and their families through their pregnancy journey over the past 20 years and hopes to continue to provide this fantastic service for many more to come.
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The service recently celebrated 20 years of service in the local area.
MPS is affiliated with the Australian Federation of Pregnancy Support (which began in 1970) and the NSW Federation of Pregnancy Support, which provides the training courses for local volunteers.
MPS currently has three active counsellors in the area and two more members are currently studying by correspondence.
They will be attending workshops in Sydney later in the year to become qualified counsellors for pregnancy support.
The first meeting of the local organisation was held in February 1994 at Wingham and was run by a local priest.
Muriel Corben remembers the beginnings of the organisation and is still an active member today, having served as president for many years.
Muriel handed the reins over to Wendy Moon in 2007.
Wendy still holds the position, but says she will always rely on Muriel for guidance and support.
The local arm of the association is a great group of people with a passion for helping others.
They are warm, supportive and highly knowledgable, offering their guidance and help free of charge and in their own time.
Manning Pregnancy Support is a voluntary, not for profit, non denominational, non government organisation that supports pregnant women and girls, their partners and extended families.
Covering the Taree, Wingham, Great Lakes, Forster and Gloucester areas they offer everything from free pregnancy testing and confidential face-to-face counselling, help exploring options, through to support during pregnancy, labour and birth, care and guidance following pregnancy loss and post-abortion support.
Through face to face or telephone counselling a pregnant woman can explore her feelings and be aware of the options open to her.
The counsellors do not refer clients to abortion agencies but do provide information about the different options and relative community services available to pregnant women.
The association has had many moves over the years but meetings are now held at the Presbyterian Church, 62 High Street, Taree (opposite the Taree Railway Bowling Club.)
The monthly meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month from noon for an hour or two.
New members are always welcome and can just turn up at one of the meetings or write to Manning Pregnancy Support at PO Box 180, Taree.