Our primary service is our peer mentoring, befriending volunteers.
A volunteer with parenting experience offers support to parents either in the home or via text, phone or video chat. The volunteer offers tailor-made one-to-one support, regularly – usually on a weekly basis.
Support can be:
Emotional support to help parents find ways to manage and resolve problems.
Direct support for children including playing, listening, having fun, establishing routines, encouraging development.
Practical help with getting out, budgeting, nutrition and meal planning, cooking and making the home safe.
Information and links to other organisations including health and educational services.
The support is led by the parent with the volunteer alongside them.
Our volunteers are committed and caring people who offer their time freely.
They are usually parents themselves and bring with them personal experience, skills and knowledge of the resources available within their local area.
They are friendly and approachable and can be relied on and trusted by parents to listen without being judgmental, and to respect the needs of each individual family.
- Undertake an 8 week course of preparation which takes place one day a week during school hours. This fully prepares volunteers for their role.
- Receive lots of support both during the preparation course and after, when they are supporting Home-Start families from a designated co-ordinator.
- Receive additional special training, can access free career development training and attend social events throughout the year.
- Receive travel expenses whilst volunteering for Home-Start.