FAQs

By volunteering for Home-Start, sharing your knowledge and experience, you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.

If you want to get involved but have a question, the answer may be here.

Q: What kind of families would I be helping  A: All kinds of families can find it hard to cope, for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they need support because of the illness or disability of a child, or because of a parent’s post-natal illness, bereavement or loneliness. Whatever the reason they come to Home-Start, all families are offered non-judgemental, confidential support. The families that we work with, like our volunteers, come from all walks of life. Through your training the Home-Start team will get to know you and will match you with a family where they think you will be able to make the most difference. You may share a similar experience, you may come from a similar background, or they may think that you would just be the perfect match. 

Q: Can my support and friendship really make a difference?  A: Absolutely!  All parents know that those early years before school are vital in a child’s life and at Home-Start we believe parents have the key role in creating a secure childhood for their children. It’s just that sometimes they need a bit of help…your help!

Q: Do I need any qualifications to be a volunteer?  A: It depends on the role. Mostly what we look for is friendliness and a caring attitude, as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting. We value people who don’t judge others and who will treat a mother or father as an equal.  We also offer training and support throughout your time with us.

Q: Do volunteers get any training? A: We are very proud of the training and support we provide for our volunteers. We invest in our volunteers from day one, ensuring they are supported by a paid member of staff throughout their time volunteering with us. All of our volunteer roles will provide some training, click here to take a look at each role to find out more.

Q: What would I get out of volunteering for Home-Start? A: We know that volunteering with us can also have a huge impact on our volunteers life too. Our volunteers tell us that they experience things like better health, improved employability and greater self-confidence. You can hear more of their stories.