Home-Start volunteers are people from a variety of backgrounds, who have parenting experience, and are of all ages, creed and colour.

They befriend families by visiting them at home and offering help and support. Volunteers help to deal with frustrations and problems that arise with caring for young children.

Volunteers can often help families through difficult times when it may be awkward for relatives or friends.I first decided to become a volunteer so that I could gain some experience of working with families.However over the Preparation Course it became more than this. I could see the good work Home-Start was achieving and really wanted to become a part of it.

The Preparation Course taught me a lot, not just about preparing me for becoming a volunteer but also for everyday use.Even though the Preparation Course was thorough it didn’t prepare me for meeting my first “family”. But I shouldn’t have worried, the Co-ordinator matched me spot on with my “family”.

I really enjoy visiting my “family” and feel I have made new friends.

Pamela Robinson
Home-Start Volunteer

WHO ARE HOME-START VOLUNTEERS?

Volunteers are people who are parents themselves so understand the pressures of family life. They offer informal support from one parent to another.

Volunteers are welcomed from various backgrounds and can be of all ages, status, race, creed and colour.

WHAT DO HOME-START VOLUNTEERS DO?

Volunteers befriend families by visiting them at home and offering help and support, either in the home or in the community. Volunteers visit on a regular basis to help the family deal with the frustrations and difficulties that may arise  when caring for young children.

Volunteers can often help families though difficult times, when for various reasons other help is not available.

DO VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE TRAINING

YES! All volunteers attend a Preparation Course once a week for 8 – 20 weeks, which prepares volunteers for home-visiting. After the initial course there is on-going training and support. All volunteers are police checked.

IS IT A CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE?

YES! Parents can freely discuss their worries and concerns with Home-Start, knowing that it is confidential, except where Child Protection issues are concerned.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. By joining as a volunteer – You could use the skills and experiences you have gained from being a parent, to help support a young family.

2. By using the Home-Start service – If you are caring for a child under five and you live in the Handsworth, Winson Green or Sandwell areas, then we are here to help you. You don’t need to struggle through difficulties on your own, when a little help might be all you need. You may even want to help another parent when you have come through your own difficult patch.

Group of volunteers on completion of their 8 week preparation course! December 2008

A Recent group of Volunteers proudly complete their 8 week preparation course.  The ladies learned so much about working with vulnerable families, including;-child protection procedures, first aid, health & safety in the home and domestic violence. . The group worked very well together and made new friends within the training programme.  A certificate was awarded, the volunteer will be suitably matched with a family in order to support them, thereafter on going supervision will be provided for the volunteers to monitor and evaluate their good work within the local community.