Family Support volunteer

Home-Start Volunteering Opportunities

Being a parent can be a challenge and we can all need a little help sometimes. Our amazing Family support volunteers are matched with a family and offer practical and emotional support to parents and their young children. They usually visit once a week for a couple of hours. The support our volunteers give makes a huge difference to the lives of families. Volunteers tell us how much they get from it too!

This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who has a little time to make a big difference.

What does it involve? Visiting a family at home to give practical help and emotional support. By visiting regularly our volunteers build a relationship with parents and their young children. The role is varied as every family is different but your time with the family could include: Providing friendship and a listening ear Supporting them to get out and about Fun activities with the children

What difference does it make? In the words from a parent "our volunteer had a life changing effect on our family. She built a great rapport with my son and gave me the time and space to talk through my worries and encouraged me so much. We are in a much better place now and I am so grateful". In the words of a volunteer "It is a privilege to be invited into the life of a family. There is such a strength in reaching out for support. It has been wonderful to see the positive change in the whole family, they are more confident and looking forward to things in the future. It has been my absolute pleasure to do my little bit to be a part of that".

Skills

Do I need any special skills or experience? Non-judgemental with an understanding of the challenges of family life. Kind and compassionate, organised, practical and enthusiastic.

A desire to help parents to achieve positive outcomes for their children.

Most volunteer have parenting experience but other caring roles may be considered. For everything else full training is provided. Training courses run regularly. Home-Start is committed to safer recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults. All applicants will be subject to a DBS check. For more details, please contact the office on 01983 533357 or admin@homestartiow.org or visit our website www.homestartisleofwight.org.uk and complete our Expression of Interest form If you would prefer an informal chat in the first instance please do get in touch.

We really look forward to hearing from you