"Working for Home-Start has changed my life, it made me change my career, take stock of my own life and given me loads of new confidence I thought I didn't have. A big thank you for all the staff and their support."
Quote from one Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands volunteer
The only real 'qualification' of becoming a home-visiting volunteer is the experience of bringing up children. Friendliness and a caring attitude are essential, as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting. We value people who don't judge others;
people who will respect the fact that they have been invited into a family's home;
people who will treat a mother or father as an equal.
Before visiting a family, all volunteers attend a short, informal course of preparation. The course normally runs on one day a week for 6-8 weeks. As far as possible, this is timed to suit those people interested in joining the scheme. The preparation course is accredited by the Open College Network, so volunteers can gain credits on completion of the prep course (although there is no pressure or requirement to do this). Topics covered on the preparation course include commitment and boundaries, confidentiality, child protection, listening skills and disability, depression and mental health. All expenses are paid and help with child care costs to allow volunteers to attend the prep course can often be arranged. Click here to see how a typical prep course may run.
Whilst on the prep course, records checks are undertaken by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and references are sought.
Following completion of the prep course, most volunteers visit a family in their own home once a week for a couple of hours. How volunteers help is really down to the family itself. Some might need someone to talk to, others might need more practical support. So you need to be able to commit around 3 hrs a week to Home-Start as visiting may involve some travelling time.
If you are interested in becoming a home-visiting volunteer, please contact us and one of our organisers will arrange to come out and visit you at home to explain about Home-Start and to give you the chance to ask any questions you may have.
All expenses are paid and volunteers are supported throughout their training and contact with families.
We always need people to help out at various events. You can either give your help at a one-off event or offer to help on an on-going basis. Please Contact Us if you would be interested in helping in this way or click here for more information on what the group do ...