voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Home-Start Dunfermline - Volunteer Preparation
Created: 09/01/2024Home-Start Dunfermline has been working in the local community since 1990 and is part of Home-Start UK, the UK's leading family support organisation.
The Home-Start service is unique in that support is offered to families, with at least one child under the age of five, in their own homes. Volunteers visit weekly to offer informal support, friendship and practical help.
Home-Start knows how hard being a parent can be, particularly during the early years, and that sometimes things seem overwhelming. The families they help come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are looking for support for many different reasons including postnatal illness, loneliness, relationship problems, poverty, disability, single parenthood, and coping with multiple births or several young children.
Families have to agree to be referred to Home-Start. They are often referred by their health visitor, social worker or GP. However, anyone can refer and a family can contact Home-Start directly. If families choose to accept support they can be matched with a home-visiting volunteer for as long as they feel they need help, which can be for a few weeks or up to a year or more. Families are welcome to attend the weekly Family Group where parents meet for some peer support and to share parenting experiences. Playleaders organise positive play experiences for the children.
By sharing their time and friendship, volunteers offer Home-Start families an opportunity to build their confidence, develop new skills and enjoy family life. Parents tell Home-Start they feel more able to respond to their children's needs and use other resources in the community as a result of the support.
Can't make this date? The training also takes place on Monday 22 January and Monday 05 February 2024.