At the heart of Home-Start is the belief that parents play the key role in giving their children the best start in life and that other parents have the experience and understanding to support those families who need help.
Our volunteers are at the heart of all we do. They come from all ages and backgrounds but are united in their non-judgemental outlook and their desire to help local families.
Volunteering with Home-Start CHAMS
There are many opportunities for volunteering within Home-Start, either working directly with families, or supporting those who do.
For more details about all the different ways you could help us in our work, please take a look at the following pages:
» Trustees
With so many different ways to offer your support through volunteering, it really is worth considering, whatever time you may have available. Even if you are in full-time work, it may be possible for your employer to allow time off for voluntary work. This could take the form of one-off volunteering for a specific event, or regular time-off for an agreed project, or perhaps even longer-term sabbaticals. You can read how this worked for one of our volunteers on Christine’s Home-Start Sabbatical page.
What volunteering can offer to you
As a volunteer you’ll receive all the support and training you need to help with your role. You’ll be working alongside staff and other volunteers as part of a valued and friendly team. We believe you’ll feel a real sense of achievement, make new friends and perhaps discover hidden talents.
Here are some of the comments we have received from our volunteers:
“I would never have got into the work I’m doing now if it hadn’t been for the Home-Start training. It helped me to get the job and was invaluable in my actual work.”
“Home-Start has given me a purpose in life. I’m going to do a child care course because I now know that I want to work with children.”
“Home-Start made me feel useful.”
“Volunteering for Home-Start has transformed my life. I hadn’t worked for many years and becoming involved has given me a new sense of purpose”.
