Home-Visiting Volunteer
Home-Start Merton
The earliest years shape a child’s future, and Home-Start Merton works to ensure every child gets the best start. By giving just a few hours each week, you can make a meaningful difference to young children and their parents in your community. As a home visiting volunteer, you’ll provide emotional and practical support to parents in their own homes for around two hours a week.
The early years shape a child’s future. By giving just a couple of hours each week, you can make a life‑changing difference to local families with young children. Who can volunteer? We welcome volunteers who: • Are parents or have parenting experience • Can visit a family at home for about 2 hours a week • Can commit to volunteering for at least a year • Are friendly, caring, and non‑judgemental • Understand the challenges of raising a family • Are willing to complete our free volunteer preparation course • Can maintain confidentiality • Are happy to undergo an enhanced DBS check Do I need qualifications? No formal qualifications are required—your lived experience as a parent is what matters most. We also value any additional skills you may bring, such as speaking another language, creative or musical abilities, or any personal interests that could enrich a family’s experience. Above all, we look for volunteers who respect families, offer support as equals, and make parents feel understood.
Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring
N/A
No specific skills are required—your own experience of raising children is the most important thing you bring. A friendly, caring approach and an understanding of the challenges of parenting are essential. We welcome all kinds of additional skills that could benefit families. Whether you speak another language, enjoy arts and crafts, play a musical instrument, or have any other interests or talents, we’d love to hear about them and will aim to match you with a family who can benefit from your strengths. Above all, we value volunteers who are non‑judgemental, respectful of being welcomed into a family’s life, and who treat parents as equals.
You’ll benefit from continued training, the rewarding experience of supporting families in your community, and opportunities to join volunteer forums and special appreciation events.
Volunteers are asked to provide around two hours of support each week (scheduled with the family) and to commit to the role for at least one year.
N/A
Families are based across the London Borough of Merton, and the Home Start Merton office is located in South Wimbledon.
The office is a short walk from South Wimbledon Tube Station and Wimbledon Train Station. The 200 bus stops on Haydon's Road which is a short walk from the office.
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