Volunteer Family Support Co-ordinator (HVC-935)

Home-Start Havering offer support, friendship and practical help to families with children under the age of five who are experiencing difficulties. 
Our Volunteers who are usually parents themselves are recruited and trained by us to visit families at home once a week for a couple of hours to offer friendly and confidential support as parents learn to cope and grow in confidence.  We are looking for family-support volunteer with families who have at least one child under the age of five.  We ask that volunteers visit a family once a week for 2-3 hours providing emotional/practical support. Full training will be given to help you fulfil this role and an enhanced DBS check will be needed (the cost is met by us) You will then be 'matched' with a family according to your availability and the type of support you feel you can give.

Home-Start Havering's approach to family support is built on the power of trusted relationships, recognising that parents tell us having someone they trust alongside them is often the most significant factor in our help being effective.  Because Home-Start is 'invited in' to the homes and lives of families with young children, it remains critical that our offer is a voluntary one to families-on-their-terms.

Regular/weekly home visits to families often focus on areas like developing routines, play, strengthening relationships, communication, mental wellbeing, and managing the household budget.  Once you start visiting a family you will receive regular supervisions and support from us and we are always available at the end of the phone. 

We support families until the youngest child reaches the age of five or starts full time education.

Skills

Full training will be given for this opportunity.  Being a parent or having parenting experience would be preferred.

Volunteers need to complete a 8-9 week training course once a week between 10 am - 2 pm at our office in Harold Hill.  Training is usually held on either a Wednesday or a Thursday.  A DBS check is required.