We believe every child deserves the best start in life. Do you?
Life is not fair and can be hard for many families. Often a family is doing just fine until something happens, making life spiral out of control without someone to turn to. The early years are crucial in a child’s life, but when parents and families struggle to cope, children can too.
Right now, a family with young children in your area is struggling with sickness, disability, mental ill-health, isolation, bereavement and more. You can make a lasting difference in the lives of children, parents and families. Volunteer today because childhood can’t wait.
Why Volunteer?
There are many reasons why you may want to volunteer with us:
- You want to help give young children and babies the best start in life.
- Like us, you feel it’s right to support local parents who are in need and are asking for help. Perhaps you even wish you’d had someone there to listen and offer support.
- You enjoy learning new skills, gaining experience and growing in confidence. Voluntary work is valuable for your CV and, for many, can be a stepping stone toward a career in a relevant field.
- You want a rewarding and interesting way to spend some free time.
- You’d like to invest in your community. Investing in the lives of local children is investing in your community’s future.
- You would like to be part of our charity, meet like-minded people and make new friends.
“The most obvious reward is the sense of helping people. Being a volunteer can occasionally be emotionally draining, but there are also poignant moments; for example when a child in your Home-Start family tells you he loves you, or the mother says she doesn’t know how she would manage without you, it feels wonderful. As a Home-Start volunteer I never feel isolated. I am part of a team and know that if I encounter any difficulties I can contact my Home-Start organiser at any time for support. I have found being a volunteer for Home-Start an extremely positive experience.”
What Does A Home-Start Volunteer Do?
After your induction, you will be matched with a family with a young child (or children) in your area who has asked for help. Your coordinator will introduce you, and you will visit the family in their home once a week to offer support through their challenging time. The time you give is flexible, fitting around your other commitments.
The support you offer will depend on the family. You might:
- Be there to listen to the problems children, parents and families face. Give emotional support and assurance.
- Empathise that family life can be overwhelming, exhausting and sometimes heartbreaking. Reassure parents that difficulties in bringing up children are common.
- Offer practical help if they need it. This could include playing with the children, reading, helping to get the parent and child to a park or making an appointment.
- Offer information and positive reassurance to encourage parent and child relationships.
- Utilise your life experiences and skills.
- Assist families with accessing help from local organisations and facilities. It can be hard to navigate all the advice and information available, especially when parents are running empty.
- Help families widen their network of relationships, for example, by going along to the Children’s Centre or other groups.
- Remember that your coordinator is here to answer questions, provide information, and support you too.
Do I Need Any Qualifications?
No. You only need the experience of looking after children. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and are usually parents, step-parents, foster parents, or grandparents.
Will I Get Training?
Yes. Home-Start training is known as being amongst the best in the voluntary sector. You will receive training at induction, ongoing one-to-one support as well as training opportunities. Our induction is fun and informal; you will meet other new volunteers like you. There’s tea, cake, biscuits (and potatoes! – An inside joke, you will soon understand).
What Kind of Families Will I Be Helping?
The families you will help usually have at least one child under five years old and, like our volunteers, come from all walks of life. They may have asked for our charity’s help, for example, because of the illness or disability of a child, post-natal illness, bereavement or loneliness.
You will be carefully matched with your Home-Start family, and your preferences are a key factor. Remember your coordinator is here to support you every step of the way.
“Samantha has been a massive support to us, mentally and physically. I first got in contact with Home-Start after my son had finished chemotherapy and was starting immunotherapy. Chemotherapy had wiped his immune system so we were housebound most the time and very limited to where we could go. I had also had a baby half way through my son’s treatment so being stuck at home with a newborn and a three year old, who wanted my time was becoming difficult and extremely lonely.
Samantha used to come round once a week for two hours and would entertain my son while I could sort the baby out (who was very demanding and never napped for longer than 30 minutes). Samantha didn’t just help out with the kids, she was a great support to me emotionally, having a cuppa and a chat with Samantha was all the therapy I needed sometimes, most days she would lift my spirits and I would feel a whole lot happier by the time she left. I will always be grateful for the time Samantha took to come and see each week, and she never let us down. We will miss her dearly, thank you.”