Untitled Document

Training & Support

It is important that all volunteers receive regular training, support and supervision throughout their time with Home-Start.

All volunteers undertake a free Course of Preparation, one day a week for ten weeks. The course is delivered during term time between 9.30am - 2.45pm. Each prospective volunteer is supplied with a volunteer resource file to work through each week. Throughout the course there is an element of fun and best of all no exams! For an example of the volunteer Course of Preparation click here.

Why have a Preparation Course?

All new volunteers feel concerned, anxious and nervous but our Preparation Course is designed to allay those fears and answer all the questions volunteers may have.

The course is designed to do 2 things:

To prepare the volunteers for things they may encounter as a home-visiting volunteer which they may not have thought about.
To help the co-ordinators to get to know each volunteer better. This is essential if the co-ordinators are to make a successful match between family and volunteer.

As a volunteer you will receive different levels of support and supervision. When you are matched with a family you will receive regular supervision from your co-ordinator. At these sessions you are able to discuss the family you are visiting and any other issues you are concerned about. It is always good to hear how well everything is going too.

We also have bi-monthly volunteer support group meetings that enable volunteers to give support to one another. It is an opportunity for the volunteers to get to know one another and a sharing of information.

As a volunteer you will also have access to our Volunteer Mentoring Scheme. Experienced volunteers offer support to new and less experienced volunteers.

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer you can give us a call to discuss it further or click here to download our Volunteer Information Pack.

"The course was fascinating. The group jelled well - different backgrounds and cultures of all people taking part and different things to offer. People really listened to one another."

I have gained back my self confidence and now have a new kind of 'family' (Home-Start) so I have gained a great deal of good fortune from the course."

This is a poem written by a group of new volunteers during their Course of Preparation in a session which required them to address the question;-

What are families for?

A family, a family,
A family is you and me,
A sister, a brother, an auntie a brother,
Who can all give love to one another.

A kiss for sis who hurt her knee,
A hug for Dad who got the tea,
A smile for Jane for helping out
A wink for Pete who peeled the sprouts!

Some days are good,
Some days are bad,
Some days you nearly drive me mad.
Don't slam the door,
Please wipe your feet,
Take your feet off the sofa,
Oh just go to sleep.

When the going gets tough
We hang on it there.
Keep our heads down
Hope we don't drown
And wait for the circle
To turn around.

When the good times come
We feel our best
And these memories sustain the rest.
It's a place of safety,
A place of hope
With our family's support
We know we can cope