As well as the relevant checks, all potential volunteers
have to complete a preparation course prior to becoming accepted as a home-visiting volunteer.
The Preparation course is designed to do two things:To prepare the volunteer for things they may encounter as a home visiting volunteer which they may not have thought about, and to help the co-ordinator to get to
know the volunteers better. This is essential if the co-ordinator is to match the volunteer with a family they will get on with. All new volunteers feel concerned, anxious and nervous, but the prep course is
designed to allay those fears and answer all the questions you may have such as; What if I don't like the family I'm allocated? What about school holidays?
Will I be prepared for visiting people in their own homes? What if there's something going on in the family that I don't feel comfortable with? These are all questions which have been asked before, and the co-ordinator will be happy to go over them with you. The preparation course is usually held one day a week for six weeks, during school hours. This can be flexible, depending on the availability of the
trainee volunteers. We have delivered the course in various different ways: 6 daytime sessions; 12 evening sessions and mixed daytime / evening sessions, which usually takes around nine weeks.
The subjects covered in a typical course include:
- A general introduction to Home-Start, and what it means to be a home-visiting volunteer
- Family life: stresses and strains
- Feelings
- Attitudes and Values
- Listening and Communicating
- Confidentiality
- Child development
- Child Protection / the role of the Social Worker and Health Visitor
- Commitment and Boundaries
- Support and personal safety
By the end of the preparation course you should have a better insight into the work that we do and feel well prepared for home-visiting. All expenses incurred both during the preparation course and
on home visiting are reimbursed. Child care costs are also covered whilst training. All volunteers can expect the continued support of the co-ordinator and the management committee.
ON-GOING SUPPORT: Once a volunteer is matched with a family, the co-ordinator will keep in close contact – initially by telephone after the first couple of visits to the family, and then with regular one-to-one
support sessions, so that if there are any difficulties or problems, they are picked up straight away. No home-visiting volunteer is ever given a family and just left to get on with it. There is always
regular contact with the co-ordinator, and a list of people to contact in an emergency THE MORE VOLUNTEERS WE HAVE – THE MORE FAMILIES WE CAN SUPPORT. HOME-START STIRLING NEEDS YOU! Please
contact us if you would like to join our next preparation course. |
