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Home-Visiting volunteers provide informal, friendly emotional support and practical help to families with at least one child under the age of five. The volunteer will attend a preparation course before being matched with a family who they will support on a one to one basis. Being a parent isn’t easy and sometimes life gets in the way. Volunteers tailor their support to the needs of the family and help parents improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. Volunteers work alongside parents to help them cope with the stresses and strains of life and make sure they have the skills, time, and strength they need to nurture their children. Volunteers will visit families once a week for approximately 2-3 hours. Please get in touch for information on our next training session.
Have an understanding of the stresses and needs of family life. Have an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of being a parent. Have a positive attitude to working with people of any age, gender, family status or sexual identity, who may be from any ethnic background, culture or religion or who may have a disability and demonstrate a commitment to Home-Start’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Demonstrate a sensitive and caring attitude towards others. Have a non-judgmental attitude. Be clear about confidentiality and when a confidence remains so, but be able to decide when the disclosure of a confidence is essential to the safeguarding of a child or vulnerable adult. Be reliable and understand the importance of reliability to a family. Have good communication skills including the ability to listen. Have a warm and open personality and a sense of humour. Have time and enthusiasm for Home-Start 2-3 hours a week to visit a family. Have the ability to research and source information enabling families to access other organisations. To carry out support with families with a professional attitude and approach. Be able to keep basic records as requested by Home-Start.
As a volunteer with Home-Start you will have the opportunity to develop your organisational and leadership skills, give back to your local community and boost your own confidence.
