Volunteers

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The only stipulation is that they have parenting experience and also need to have a friendly, open, and non-judgmental approach.

They need no specific qualifications, but they do need the ability to listen with understanding, to maintain confidentiality and bring with them commitment both to the scheme and to the families they visit.

Parents who have been visited often become volunteers themselves.

All Home-Start volunteers attend a short preparation course for roughly eight to ten weeks before being linked with a family. This preparation offers new volunteers the opportunity to gain greater knowledge on issues such as drugs awareness; domestic violence & post natal depression, to increase their confidence and to recognise the reciprocal nature of volunteering.

There are usually 2 preparation courses per year, (please phone or e-mail for the next date).

Once linked with a family, volunteers are supported by the organiser.

All volunteers are offered follow-up training on a range of issues, eg; Drugs Awareness, First Aid, and coping with children's behaviour.

All out of pocket expenses are paid.

A quarterly newsletter keeps volunteers up to date with what's happening at Home-Start, and we arrange coffee mornings from time to time, where volunteers can meet up and give support to each other.

For more information please contact us.