Website Home-Start Flintshire
Charity that supports families with at least one child under 11
What is a home-visiting volunteer?
A home-visiting volunteer is someone who supports families in the family home or to get out into their community.
Who will I support?
At the volunteer application process and following the ‘Preparation for Volunteering’ training all volunteers will be asked about which individuals or groups they are most comfortable supporting or would like to support. This includes:
Children aged 0-2 years
Children aged 3-5 years
Children aged 6-11 years
Adults
This will be recorded in your volunteer record, alongside information on your knowledge, skills, experience, hobbies and interests and will be used when matching you with a family to support.
Why might I be supporting them?
We support families for lots of different reasons. Many times, it is because someone in the family is struggling with low confidence, low mood or isolation. Sometimes, it is to help them to develop more supportive family routines, practical skills and parenting behaviours and provide a positive role model. We work alongside the families so that they can develop their own skills so that these will then be in place when support ends.
Where will I support them?
Support is usually given in the family home and/or out in the local community e.g. if a parents want support to improve their confidence to go to a baby group or out to the local park.
When will I support them?
We support families during the day. The day or time that support is given will depend on the needs of the family and will be discussed and agreed during a link visit where the family coordinator and the volunteer meet with the family together. Support is usually on a weekly basis.
How often will I support them?
We usually offer families a weekly visit. The visit duration time may vary according to the family needs, the activities you are supporting with and your own availability. This can be discussed and agreed with the family during your link visit.
What might I be doing/How will I support a family?
What you might do, very much depends on what the needs of the family are and what is agreed with the family. Some of the things you may do can include:
Having a chat and a cuppa;
Talking about how they are feeling;
Going for a walk;
Playing games or reading stories with the children (the parent will still be present);
Going to the park;
Attending a playgroup or similar activity;
Helping to organise the home alongside the parent.
How long will I be supporting?
Support for families can last between 3 months and 1 year depending on what is agreed at the beginning of the process. Reviews take place every 6 weeks to see how things are going and whether anything has changed that may affect the ability to provide support.
How am I supported?
Support for volunteers is available through the Volunteer Coordinator and Family Coordinator at any time. We have an open-door policy and we encourage our volunteers to drop into the office whenever they would like to discuss their family support, have support for themselves or just come for a cuppa and a chat.
There are also regular times throughout the year when we ask our volunteers to attend a ‘Family Focused Chat’ and/or a ‘Wellbeing and Development Chat’. These chats are very important, they ensure we know what is happening with the family that are being supported, whether we might be able to provide additional support, signposting to useful information or referrals on to other services where needed and agreed with the family. Attending these meetings as a volunteer is a crucial part of our service and an important part of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Benefits to volunteering with Home-Start Flintshire include:
- Making a difference in your community
- Full training provided and ongoing opportunities
- Volunteer expenses reimbursed, including DBS check
- Make new friends and meet new people
- Enhance your CV
- Boost your wellbeing
To apply for this job email your details to admin@home-startflintshire.co.uk.