By volunteering for Home-Start Wessex as a Home-Visiting Volunteer, sharing your knowledge and experience of being a parent, you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
Home-Start volunteers are expected to work towards the increased confidence and independence of the family by:
? Offering support, friendship and practical help
? Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
? Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual
? Emphasising the positive aspects of family life
? Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding
developed
? Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children
? Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to effectively use the support and services available in the community
Training will be given and expenses covered.
Qoutes from previous volunteers -
‘Right from the start I enjoyed volunteering with Home Start Wessex. I enjoyed the training and meeting like-minded people and then visiting a family for a few hours a week.I find volunteering very refreshing- going to different places and doing different things. It can be from staying in chatting, playing with the children or helping with a practical activity to going out to the park or toddler group or helping the family join the library .No two visits are the same, it’s quite special that I feel that my volunteering is making a difference.Training is on-going and always really interesting. I feel fully supported by my Home Start Co-ordinator and although it might sound a bit cliched - it is so rewarding!’ (JW)
Benefits to self
Quote from previous volunteer - "As a volunteer, I learnt so much about myself and it’s a very rewarding activity. We help other people, we support families and we learn about different things." (Maria-Silvia)
Benefits to others
Quote from mum helped by charity - "I was so down when Home-Start came to me and I am so happy now.
I can’t express how grateful I am for the support I received and the time I was given. The co-ordinator and volunteer were a godsend at a crucial time."
Training available
Full training course will be given at the start of volunteering and training opportunities regularly given throughout.
- Activity AreaDomestic Violence Support, Health and Social Care, Mental Health, People, Wellbeing, Advice/ Support, Local Community
- Employability Skills within ActivityBuddying, Counselling, Mentoring, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal
- FacultyHealth, Environment and Medical Sciences
- Sustainable Development GoalsGood Health and Well-being, Life on Land, No Poverty, Reducing Inequality
Employability skills
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Interpersonal
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Relationship Building
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