About Home-Start Essex 

Home-Start Essex works with parents and carers to help give their children the best possible start in life. We do this by supporting them to improve their mental health and physical health and to build their confidence in themselves and their parenting. Through support from Home-Start Essex, families are encouraged to build their networks of support, to reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness and to find ways to manage the challenges they face.

These roles are active in Southend area only. If you are looking to support in other areas in Essex please see our volunteering opportunities covering those areas.

Why become a volunteer?

Becoming a Volunteer with Home-Start Essex is incredibly rewarding. You get to give something back to your community and you have the potential to make a long-lasting difference to families.

You also get to:

· Meet new people

· Make new friends

· Make a difference in your community

· Attend our social events

· Gain new skills and experience which could support you into employment

· Share your experience with others

What are we looking for in a Volunteer?

A Home-Start Essex Volunteer must…

· Be prepared to complete the appropriate Home-Start Essex volunteer training course

· Demonstrate an empathic and non-judgemental attitude towards others

· Be reliable and understand the importance of reliability to a family receiving support

· Have good communication skills and the ability to listen

· Understand why families may need support from Home-Start Essex

· Have time and enthusiasm for Home-Start Essex

· Be prepared to attend support sessions and attend on-going training events

What training and support do I receive?

Every volunteer must complete an appropriate training course before they volunteer with Home-Start Essex. Training will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to support our families and fulfil your volunteer role. You are supported throughout your role by a Coordinator and have support sessions with them as well as Peer Support groups and social get togethers. Opportunities are given for ongoing training at various times throughout the year.

What can I do?

We offer a variety of volunteering opportunities, so there’s bound to something that suits you!

There are opportunities to support families in their homes, via the phone and at our family and wellbeing groups.

 

SKILLS

Parent Mentor Volunteer

You will provide families with practical and emotional support, guidance and encouragement, visiting them at home once a week, or through regular telephone/ video calls/text, for a period of up to six months. You will develop a relationship with the family and work with them in a variety of ways; offering a listening ear, encouraging positive parenting, and helping with nursery/school readiness. You will encourage the family to explore and reflect and come up with their own solutions.

Parent Mentor Volunteers are expected to:

• Take part in our full training course – online learning & 4 Zoom sessions with a group
• Commit to supporting a family through weekly visits in the home of 1-2 hours or through regular telephone/ video calls/text for a period of 6 months.
• Travel to and from volunteers home / meeting place
• Follow up from the visits by completing a Family Support Contact Record