So the school teacher created not-for-profit community group Mumma Bears last November to provide support and friendship for young mums with little or no family members on hand.

Ms Ray said a Facebook page called Mornington Peninsula Mums first alerted her to the issue. 

“They were asking ‘is it just me that’s really lonely?’,” Ms Ray said.

In its first week, the Facebook page got 400 likes and Mumma Bears clocked up 100 members.

Ms Ray says it’s very different to a mum and bubs group as it focuses more on the mother, not the child.

Instead, the “mumma bears” and the “cubs” both fill out an online survey, which is then used to match them up.

So far, Mumma Bears operates in Geelong, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Toongabbie, Wonthaggi and across Melbourne – and now Ms Ray wants to expand into Ballarat.

“It’s just exploded. We have clients all over Victoria.”

She said there had also been inquiries from Hobart and Queensland.

“The need is quite sad and quite daunting. Our youngest mum is 18 and our oldest is 50.

“We’ve got lots of girls from the UK, New Zealand or interstate or who are estranged from their parents or who have lost their parents.

“It’s just to have someone to ring or contact who’s had that experience. We’ve matched pairs who’ve said it’s felt like they have known each other all their lives.”

Ms Ray said she looks for similar interests and backgrounds, plus the age of the children involved.

“It’s face to face contact but the time commitment is negotiable. It depends on what their needs are at the time. It’s about ‘what can we do for you and how can we help you?’”

Mumma Bears also runs life skill programs, such as sewing groups and managing your budget.

Mumma Bears is also trying to link in with beyondblue as Ms Ray said there is a cohort of women in their mid-20s to 30s who are committing suicide due to isolation and loneliness. 

For more information, contact Ms Ray on 0432 617730, email info@mummabears.com or go to website mummabears.com.