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Do you have parenting experience? Are you looking for something that fits with school hours? Can you help parents who are experiencing difficulties by visiting them for 2-3 hours reliably each week and offering practical and emotional support, reassurance and friendship? The next volunteer training course will start in October, on Tuesdays, one day per week, 9.45am to 2.30pm, and will run from 1st October to 12th November (no class in October Half Term 28th Oct). The venue is at Whitton Library . Contact volunteer@homestart-rkh.org.uk or visit https://homestart-rkh.org.uk/volunteer/#what_it_takes to register interest or for more information. The autumn course will be from 1st October - 12th November 2024 (no course 29th October due to half-term). We provide a vital lifeline for local families with children under five. At the heart of our local charity are the parent volunteers who give their time to help other parents who are struggling to cope. They support them to manage their own issues as well as helping their pre-school children to be ready for nursery and school. Issues may include: • Isolation from family and local community • Postnatal illness or depression • Disability of child or parent • Stress caused by low income or housing issues Last year we helped 277 vulnerable families and 432 children in the boroughs of Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow; most being referred by Health Visitors and other professionals. Our trained volunteers support parents with difficulties such as mental health, family breakdown, domestic abuse, bereavement, disability or a combination of factors that can affect their children’s welfare. Please call us if you would like any more information on 020 8487 8500 or visit www.homestart-rkh.org.uk . Potential volunteers must complete a Preparation Course, one day a week 9.45am-2.30pm for 7 weeks (excluding half-term). Courses normally start in January, April and September and training takes place either in East Sheen, Kingston or Hounslow.
A Home-Start volunteer should: • Be a parent or have relevant experience • Understand why families may need support from Home-Start • Have a knowledge of child development or willingness to undertake training • Have a positive, non-judgemental attitude to working with people of any gender, family status or sexual identity, or who are from any ethnic origin, culture or religion, or who may have a disability • Demonstrate a sensitive and caring attitude towards others • Have a clear understanding of the confidential nature of the Home-Start service, and not to break confidences shared by the family, other than when disclosure is essential in order to protect the wellbeing or safety of a child • Have time and enthusiasm for Home-Start, be reliable and understand the importance of reliability to the family • Have good communication skills including an ability to listen • Have a warm and open personality and a sense of humour • Be able to operate as a member of a team • Be prepared to: o complete the Home-Start preparation training course o attend group support meetings and ongoing or refresher training required by the charity o attend supervision with their co-ordinator every six weeks o keep records as required by the charity Applications from all parts of the community are welcome and a second language can often be very useful.
1. Satisfaction of making a difference to young children and their families 2. Improved self-confidence 3. Improved skills that can lead to employment 4. Being part of a successful charity rooted in the local community
2 hours a week
