Is anyone a homestart volunteer?

[cazboldy]

Just considering doing it really, and want o find out a bit more about it.

What is actually involved - they say a couple of hours a week - is that realistic?

How much training is needed?

would love to hear anyone's experiences

TIA

quite an interesting thread on homestart, from the perspective of volunteers and people being supported by homestart. hth.

thanks for that - answers a few questions

I have a homestart volunteer to help me a couple of hours a week. Absolutely invaluable as it means I can catch up housework, take the dc to playgroup. I have 3 dc, oldest is at school, ds2 is 28 months and dd is 16 months. Wouldn't be able to go to playgroup without help as ds2 spends all his time outside (even when raining!) and dd doesn't walk so I end up trying to carry her and chase after ds2 which works fine until there's a tantrum/accident etc, also means dd misses out on doing what she wants to do.
As I understand it my volunteer has 3 hours a week to include travelling time as well as reviews (I think 3 monthly) with the charity. The main rule seems to be that my volunteer is not allowed to be in sole charge of the dc, ie if we need to go out we all go, essentially she is not there as a babysitter.
The dc all love her as she spends all her time playing with them while I sort through the mountains of crap my mother keeps dumping round here (don't ask), clean the bathroom without little helpers etc.
When the dc are older and I have some spare time I plan to return the favour and volunteer for homestart myself.

any more?

I have just started volunteering with Homestart. I really enjoyed the training - it was in the evening so was manageable but I think this varies from area to area. It was one night a week for 6 weeks think
They then came out to the house and just had a chat - this bit just to get an idea of what you are like, not checking for dirty socks under sofa!
I think they are a fantastic organisation, they do so much to help, the organisers are so lovely,friendly and caring.
I was very nervous about starting the actual volunteering but it is going really well so far and I do feel I am making a bit of a difference... which is why I decided to do it.
I do two hours a week and was told it was against their policy for anyone to do more than three, if you are worried about the amount of hours
the best thing to do is go in for an informal chat with them, they will be delighted as think always needing volunteers Good luck!

thanks tothesea - that sounds very positive

Hi,i was a Homes Start volunteer for just over a year (only stopped because an op my child had didn't go well). I LOVED it.
The training was one evening a week for 2/3 months,and attending the occasional talk,was CRB checked too ofcourse.
I was then assigned a family and visited once a week for 2 hours.
It was great and i'd love to do it again but there are to many volunteers atm in my area and not enough families aparently,i don't drive and they really need volunteers that can travel quite far out of town to army camps as thats where the demand in this area is currently.
It's definately worth giving Home Start a call if you're thinking about it

I used to be a Homestart volunteer. I moved away and then had another baby so not doing it at the moment. The initial course was really good and then I was allocated a family and worked with them for about 10 months. I used to meet them once a week for a couple of hours so yes it is realistic.

I really enjoyed it. Go for it.