Volunteer for Home-Start
By volunteering for us you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
Become a volunteer
Our belief is that parents play the key role in giving their children the best start in life - and that other parents have the experience and understanding to support those families that need help.
Volunteering offers the chance to give something back, and to really make a difference to the lives of local families.
​
Have a look at the types of volunteer roles we offer
​
Don't take our word for it on why volunteering for Home-Start South
Warwickshire is so wonderful, click to read what our volunteers have to say
Family Support Volunteer
Family Support Volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age, but all have parenting experience, and a willingness to help others facing difficult situations.
​
These volunteers visit families every week for 2 - 3 hours. They may help a family by being a listening ear, playing with young children, offering support and guidance, helping the family attend groups or appointments, offering practical help around the house or anything that a family might need help with.
What do I need to become a Family Support Volunteer?
-
Experience as a parent, grandparent or carer
-
Time to visit a family in their home for 2-3 hours every week
-
Commitment to providing support for at least 12 months
-
A non-judgmental attitude and an understanding of the pressures of raising a family
-
Willing and available to attend our free Volunteer Preparation Course with other new volunteers before meeting your first family
-
Adherence to guidance relating to Safeguarding & Confidentiality
-
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and submission of 2 references
Volunteer training
All of our Family Support Volunteers take part in a Volunteer Preparation Course before we match them with a family. The course covers the role of the Home-Start volunteer and provides additional information in the following areas; values, attitudes and inclusivity, confidentiality, listening and communication, meeting the needs of families and safeguarding. It is a 5-day course over 5 weeks and is a combination of in-person and online sessions. If you are interested in attending any of the courses listed below, please contact us on 07564 543 806 or office@homestartsouthwarwickshire.org.uk, or complete and email the application form above back to us.
​
Upcoming courses
Summer term
Dates: Wednesdays from 8th May - 12th June 2024 (with half term break)
Times: 9.30am-2.30pm
Venue: St Peter's Church Centre, Wellesbourne with online sessions (Zoom)
​
Autumn term
Dates: Mondays from 23rd September - 21st October 2024
Times: 9.30am - 2.30pm
Venue: tbc but combined in person and online
Home-Start South Warwickshire Volunteer Testimonials
Vivien
“Volunteering with Home-Start helps me use all my parenting, life skills and experience to really help a family having a difficult time.
It may be emotional support or practical support, but seeing the difference you can make in often very small ways is really rewarding”
“With two young children myself I know how hard the early days of parenting can be, so being able to provide extra support to a family when they really need it is so rewarding and fulfilling.
Home-Start South Warwickshire support their volunteers with fantastic training and guidance so I've learnt a lot too, and I have the flexibility to fit volunteering around my other commitments. I'm so proud be a Home-Start South Warwickshire volunteer”
Amy
“Being a Home-Start volunteer has been so rewarding, especially when you start to see the positive impact you make to your family's wellbeing through even the smallest of gestures and support. The training to get started is fantastic and it's a lovely team to be part of with a great ethos.”
“Volunteering with Home Start has been given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that I am positively impacting someone else’s life and in particular the lives of the young children in the family. I have loved meeting new people on the training course and have really enjoyed having access to other training. Home-Start South Warwickshire made me feel valued and appreciated, I would encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to go for it!”