Volunteer and Student Enquiries
By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their families in your community.
We also host student placements for colleges and universities.
RECRUITING NOW!
If you can spare 2-3 hours a week,
please fill in the form below and return it to: info@hsfalkirk.org.uk
Volunteer Application Form
Be a Home-Start volunteer
No special qualifications are necessary to become a Home-
Ideally volunteers would be individuals who would like to support families with children in the early years.
An interest in child development, play and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of parents would be advantageous.
Talking and listening can empower families to overcome difficult situations.
Volunteers attend an initial prep course and are offered on-going training and support activities. These includes specialist speakers, celebrations and informal peer support,
Working alongside families
Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heartbreaking and overwhelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. All parents struggle at one time or another. That is why Home-Start is ready to support families through their toughest times.
Home-Start volunteers support families with individual one-to-one home-visiting and a wide range of targeted support for parents and their children.
Home-Start’s volunteers work alongside families to give compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family.
Our volunteers are trained and given expert support from the local Home-Start in their community
We work with families in a range of ways, and use the approach they think will give them the best support. This includes:
- Home-visiting support
- Family groups
- Drop-in groups
- Fun days and events
Benefits of volunteering
Just two hours a week can make a big difference to a parent and their children.
The benefits of volunteering are:
- Confidence building
- Helps build community connections
- Builds bonds and creates friends
- Improves Self-Esteem
- Promotes longevity
All our services are based around the principal that volunteers offer no judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and support.
Student Placement
Social Work students placements are an integral part of our support. Twice a year we host students for 70 to 100 days and to equip them with the experience they will need to fulfill their role in the public sector after university. They support families through a blended role of coordinator and family support worker.
Students receive training on volunteer support, coordinator support and our admin procedures before being matched with families.
Placement students are usually matched with 4-6 families for a 6 weeks period.
WE ARE ACCEPTING STUDENT PLACEMENTS. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE.
Becoming a trustee
Becoming a Trustee is one of the most powerful ways you can contribute to your local community whilst utilising and building a wealth of skills. We have around 1,000 trustees based in every local Home-Start across the UK. As independent charities, local Home-Starts require trustees to serve on their governing body (board), taking responsibility for directing the management of the organisation and leading on strategy. It is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer and support your local community whilst also developing your skillset in the workplace.
Requirements of the role:
In order to be a trustee, you will be required to:
– Attend, and prepare for, a minimum of 8 meetings per year (more may be required, check with the local Home-Start you want to support)
– Undergo a criminal record check at an enhanced level
– Undergo a selection process as outlined by the local Home-Start
– Commit to the legal and financial responsibilities of the role, as outlined by the local Home-Start
Training and support:
Trustees are fully inducted into Home-Start before beginning their new role; they will receive:
– An online welcome event and e-learning, introducing Home-Start’s service and your responsibilities
– Paid expenses
– Access to Home-Start’s intranet – full of information and guidance on running a local Home-Start
– The support of specialist staff at Home-Start UK
– Additional training may be provided by the local Home-Start
Other ways to volunteer for Home-Start
Volunteer - Share your time and skills to help your community
If being a Home Visiting Volunteer isn’t for you, you may be able to help us in other ways. Many people have volunteered their time and skills for:
- Fundraising (Kilt walk, sponsored events, Bake sales)
- Supporting family groups
- Bookbug
- Events
- Family fun days
- Corporate events
- Donating time or cash
You may also be able to help in ways we haven’t thought about yet.
So if you want to get involved, get in touch and let us know what you have in mind.
Volunteer as a Trustee - Join us to help shape the future of our work with families
Our Trustees provide essential leadership, guidance and governance from their own professional or lived experiences. They also play an important role as ambassadors for our work and can offer particular skills to the organisation (Eg, human resources, funding or finance). We welcome interest from those who are passionate about our work with parents, children, families and the community.
Importantly, the Board of Trustees should reflect the communities in which we work. We are fortunate to benefit from a variety of skills, experiences and backgrounds within our current board however, we would like to expand on that dynamic and creative team.
The minimum commitment as a Trustee is for 3-6 hours each month, to attend board meetings or to engage in board discussions via email and online forums. Further opportunities to get involved are possible too, so we can be flexible to suit an individuals motivation to volunteer.
If you are interested in finding out more about the opportunity to join us, please contact our Chairperson, Anne Hemfrey, to arrange an informal chat: info@hsfalkirk.org.uk
Volunteer Stories
Anonymous B
As a volunteer you enter someone’s home, normally once per week for a couple of hours, and provide support in a number of different ways. This may...
Anonymous A
One of the main advantages of being a volunteer is that it enables you to give back to the community. The skills I learnt in my past work can still...
Ex-supported mum and current volunteer
I used to get a home start volunteer so I know what it is like to get help when you need it. When you think there is nobody else there to listen and...
Volunteer Testimonials
It is nice to build a rapport with families and see families progress and blossom through building trust and working together.
Volunteering is such an incredibly rewarding and challenging role. I offer a listening ear, comfort, and console young families while they manage difficult emotions, situations or during times of mental health crisis. It’s gratifying when you see even a little improvement and share in the little wins. Some of the best parts is encouraging parent and child bonds through play, its so valuable for everyone’s future. I am amazed at the resilience, strengths and abilities the young families have developed to survive and yet they are not even aware of them. It’s lovely to see the delight when this is pointed out. It can also be a long road three steps forward two back but its worthwhile. Personally for me its been a huge learning curve identifying my strengths and abilities and facing my failings. I have been through some highs and lows with my volunteer family but I also enjoy being part of their accomplishments and change. Win win!
As a volunteer it has been an enriching experience to work with families in the group. The reward for me has been hearing first hand how much the parents value the opportunity Home-Start provide for them. Observing the children growing socially being able to play freely and learn social skills with other children who were born in the pandemic of COVID who were denied so much, particularly meeting other children outside their home, where parents faced with their own personal difficulties which prevented them being able to leave their own home.