Home-Start North West Hampshire trained volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age, but all are parents. They are carefully selected for their friendliness and understanding, are appropriately approved and all receive 40 hours of training spread over 8 weeks 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 volunteer and the co-ordinator, but will involve the referrer when appropriate. Volunteers may also support each other. All are offered formal and informal group meetings and social events.

Become a trustee?
We are led by a group of Trustees, assisted by a multi-disciplinary Management Committee made up of local professionals and volunteers with relevant experience and skills with representatives from statutory agencies, business and the voluntary sector.  If you are interested in joining our trustee board we would be pleased to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a Home-Start Volunteer please contact Philippa or Jane on 01256 812333 or email homestart.nwhants@live.co.uk