Home-Start Volunteers

All parents know that those early years before children go off to school are vital in a child’s life and at Home-Start West Berkshire we believe parents have the key role in creating a secure childhood for their children. It’s just that sometimes they need a bit of help... your help.

Home-Start West Berkshire needs volunteer parents to offer friendship and support to other parents. You will support them by visiting them at home on a weekly basis or helping in our family groups.

Volunteers will need to attend training one day per week for five weeks. Training includes topics such as safeguarding and family support. All volunteers are offered the option to gain accreditation. All expenses paid.

• Session 1: The Role of a Home-Start Volunteer
• Session 2: Supporting Parents and Meeting Children's Needs
• Session 3: Safeguarding and Confidentiality
• Session 4: Values, Attitudes and Listening and Celebratory Session

We are based in Broadway House which is close to the Clock Tower in Newbury (opposite Domino's Pizza), but volunteering could take place anywhere in West Berkshire.

About Home-Start West Berkshire

We have been supporting families in West Berkshire since 1997 using a volunteer model that allows us to reach families with children under five at what can be a difficult and stressful time. If you think you could help us with this important work in a time of growing need, we'd love to hear from you.

Home-Start West Berkshire is a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee and a member of the Home-Start UK federation. Our trustees are responsible for setting strategy, monitoring performance, ensuring that the Charity is financially sound, and ensuring that we meet all legal and regulatory requirements in the delivery of our mission.

What we do. We provide support for families with children aged 0 to 5 who may be facing physical or emotional issues and who are finding the challenge of bringing up young children overwhelming. By offering support to families through their toughest times we ensure that parents have the support they need to give their children the best start in life. Home-Start's ethos is to empower and enable, allowing families to develop self-resilience and confidence in their ability to cope with challenging situations and integrate more within their own communities.

How We Do It. Using a volunteer led model, we provide support to parents through home visits, family and postnatal depression groups and a baby bank. A nurturing and caring culture is central to our work. Our volunteers are invited in to their homes by families, building empathy and trust to help provide community centred, accessible, non-judgmental relational support. We believe that engaging and embracing a broad spectrum of diverse lived experience is fundamental to our shared learning experience. Our trustees, staff and volunteers are committed to living and learning the values and behaviours which best facilitate this approach.

What skills do I need?

Parenting experience is a must. Volunteers will be good listeners, sympathetic and able to offer two- three hours per week, usually between 9-3.

Volunteers will need to attend training one morning per week for for weeks, which includes topics such as safeguarding and family support. 

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?