As an Emotional Wellbeing Specialist Volunteer, you will support parents/carers who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period and up until their child starts school. You will provide valuable support to help develop coping strategies, build stronger emotional connections with their children and feel less isolated and more supported during a vulnerable time.

Trained in perinatal and infant mental health, you can support families through either:

• Weekly home-visiting: Providing in-person emotional support and encouragement.

• Weekly telephone befriending: Offering a listening ear and regular check-ins by phone/video.

• Weekly wellbeing support groups:

• Mothers in Mind – provide support within a face-to-face group for parents attending with pre-school children who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period, facilitated by a Family Support Coordinator.

• Wellbeing online support groups – provide support within an online group with a Wellbeing Co-ordinator facilitating the group

All Family Support Volunteers complete a Preparation Course before starting their role. This includes:

• 8 e-learning modules to complete at home, ideally before online sessions

• Online face-to-face sessions to build on the e-learning (format and number of sessions may vary)

In addition to this, you will also be required to complete the e-learning Perinatal & Infant Mental Health training course.

The Perinatal & Infant Mental Health training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to support families.

You will be supported every step of the way by a Family Support Co-ordinator, who will help you ensure families receive the right guidance and support.

You will also have the chance to attend ongoing training sessions throughout the year, as well as regular peer support sessions.

Our training is designed to equip you with the confidence and knowledge to make a real difference.