There are two ways of volunteering with Home-Start Stirling; as a home-visiting volunteer or as a member of our
management board. HOME-VISITING VOLUNTEERS
Home-Start home-visiting volunteers need to be parents themselves That is the only essential we ask for. We need people from all
ages, backgrounds and genders! No qualifications are necessary – just listening skills, understanding, discretion, and commitment to the families you visit and the scheme.Naturally, we often work with very
vulnerable families. It is therefore essential that all volunteers within our scheme are thoroughly vetted. This would entail obtaining an enhanced Disclosure (full criminal records check) as well as giving
two personal references. All our home-visiting volunteers undergo a preparation course
(six sessions normally) usually run during school hours, but sometimes in the evening. Expenses – including childcare costs – are re-imbursed during the course.
Further on-going training is made available to our volunteers on a regular basis. We ask our home-visiting volunteers to commit roughly three to four hours per week to visit a family. These visits are arranged
for a mutually convenient time Monday to Friday – or weekends if both parties would prefer. Our volunteers are re-imbursed for all travel expenses incurred whilst visiting a family whether by public transport or
car. We currently pay 37p per mile for a private car, as well as any telephone calls made to the family being supported. Once the matching visit has taken place, the co-ordinator will keep in regular contact
with the volunteer – usually with a telephone call after the first visit alone, and then with monthly one-to-one support sessions. NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT BEING MATCHED WITH A FAMILY AND 'LEFT TO GET ON WITH IT' – THIS SIMPLY DOESN'T HAPPEN! Home-Start volunteers work with and alongside a family – parent to parent. 'Being with' not 'doing to'.This is exciting, rewarding
voluntary work which requires energy, commitment, reliability, creativity – and a sense of humour! Contact us if you would like to know more. |
