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Original poster

How often should your Homestart volunteer turn up?

49 replies

rickman · 17/03/2005 16:35

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rickman · 17/03/2005 18:05

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maisystar · 17/03/2005 18:29

i am a volunteer and the only reason i would miss vivting is if ds was ill.

and your volunteer should always let you know asap if she can't make it. also if i have missed a visit i try to rearrange for later in the week, so have never gone longer than a week without visiting iyswim.

has she let you know in advance if she can't make it? what are her reasons?

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rickman · 17/03/2005 20:43

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KatieMac · 17/03/2005 20:50

Poor you it's rotten when the children are poorly .... and if you are expecting help and don't get it, it can be so disappointing

No advise tho' sorry - could you ask about a different volunteer as she is obviously having a difficult time at the moment??

maisystar · 17/03/2005 20:53

i would speak to the co-ordinator, rickman. (whoever first came to visit you and introduce your volunteer).

they could then speak to the volunteer and see if there is a problem.

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rickman · 17/03/2005 20:55

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AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 20:56

i am a volunteer too and do exactly what maisystar said. i always try and fit another visit in. when it was snowing i was prepared to do battle with the rodas but she rang me saying don't some as the road to her house was very slippy!

i'd mention this to your contact person at H/S; asking if you could have someone else as she isn't reliable/dependable.
when i did the training course they really stressed how important relability was.

this can just add to your problems' as being let down is worse than not expecting the help initially.

AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 20:57

you can speak to them in confidence, they won't drop you in it

AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 20:58

what do you mean - 'she isn't what you were expecting'?

Original poster
rickman · 17/03/2005 21:02

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maisystar · 17/03/2005 21:07

we are not allowed to be bossy

what does she do???

Evesmama · 17/03/2005 21:08

i agree somewhat rickman, although i very highly rate homestart, my helper though very sweet and a lovely woman, hasnt got the magic wand i ordered, and we just sit and talk which is probably not best sometimes...dont have the heart to say dont come, although i havent seen her since just after christmas because of illness or snow, however she always calls me to tell me...i'd speak to homestart and ask for someone else, i may do this, but i know its hard when they're really nice but have more baggage than you!

maisystar · 17/03/2005 21:12

we are advised to move at the pace of the parent we are visiting and not to 'push them'!!!!

you could try asking for stuff like please could you play with dd/ds so i can have a bath?/could you help me take them to the park?/ would you come to p&t with me?

that kind of thing, or whatever it is you need

AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 21:14

no not allowed to be bossy...the idea is to help you help youself. but i know of one volunteer who is bossy in a very positive motherly way and she is very popular with the families.

how long has she been coming?

i will be bossy now

DON@T sit and chat to her!!
next time she comes show her where all drink stuff is then suggest she makes a drink whilst you do XYZ. write a list of what you would like to do whilst she is there and show it to her; be as specific as you want, or not.
eg.
sort washing
wash kitchen floor
have an hour to myself
prepare dinner

see how that works

or talk to your organiser and say she is too nice and you would like someone bossy

kernowcat · 17/03/2005 21:15

What is homestart?

maisystar · 17/03/2005 21:16

i will be bossy too now

Evesmama · 17/03/2005 21:17

is that what their supposed to do??i would feel really about asking her to do anything like this..although she does ask if anything needs doing when im putting dd down for nap(ie:clear mountains of soft toys off her bed!)
but i spend my morning making us crumpets and tea!, she is lovely, but like rickman said,..not what i expected?

AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 21:18

here is the website

it is a charity that organises volunteers to visit families with at least one child under 5.
the volunteer supports the family and visits once a week sometimes more.
families can self refer or be referred by health visitor, midwife etc

AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 21:23

she is probably expecting you to ask her to do things. here are some of the things i do with my family (6 mionth old twins)
-give bottles

  • give food
  • change nappies -dress them ready for the day
  • wash bottles and put in steriliser -tidy toys -play with them -chat if their mumneeds to (she has MIL probs)

whilst i do the above she
-has her breakfast
-showers and gets dressed

  • comes downstairs looking better than i do!!!
  • deals with washing

we then get babies raedy for M&T, i follow her down i the car and take her in, then go home leaving her there.

hth

Original poster
rickman · 17/03/2005 21:24

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Evesmama · 17/03/2005 21:24

can you be mine please

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rickman · 17/03/2005 21:25

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rickman · 17/03/2005 21:27

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AuntyQuated · 17/03/2005 21:28

if she cancels again ask her if she could come another day instead

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rickman · 17/03/2005 21:30

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