Volunteers

Home-Start North-West Hampshire volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age, most are parents. They are carefully selected for their friendliness and understanding, are appropriately approved and attend an 8 week course of preparation before being matched with families. An enhanced disclosure with the criminal Records Bureau is undertaken and references are taken up.

What do they do?

Home-Start North West Hampshire volunteers visit one or more families a week and take their own individual skills and experience to the families they visit. They are neither paid nor are they professionals, so they will not replace your Health Visitor or Social Worker. Our volunteers accept families for who they are

Who can become a volunteer?

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcomed. The only stipulation is that they have had parenting experience themselves. They need no specific qualifications, but they do need the ability to listen with understanding, to maintain confidentiality and bring with them commitment both to the scheme and to the families they visit. Parents who have been visited often become volunteers themselves.

What support is available to our volunteers?

A vital element of a Home-Start scheme is the planned support offered to all volunteers. This is usually on a one-to-one basis between the volunteers and the organiser, but will involve the referred when appropriate. Volunteers may also support each other. All are offered formal and informal group meetings and social events.