Home-Start St. Helens is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support, helping families who live in the St Helens area with children 0 to 19 yrs of age through challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood cannot wait.
The more we give, the happier we feel – can you spare 2 to 3 hours per week to help support a family who really need your time and your life experiences. You can help make their lives and the lives of their children better.
Volunteering is a great way to gain skills and experience, or simply to give back to your community if you have a little time to spare! All you need are life experiences and be aged 18 and above yrs.Volunteering increases self-confidence and provides you with a sense of pride and identity. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
Volunteers empathise with families demonstrating a friendly and non-judgemental approach and can be relied on and trusted by parents whilst respecting the needs of each individual family. Our families need support in various ways for example:
Home-Start St Helens Family Support Volunteers usually give 2-3 hours of their time each week (School holidays can be excluded), visiting a local family in their home to provide practical and emotional support with parenting.* *We work with you, carefully matching you with a family who wants to engage and you feel you can give the best support to in the St. Helens area at a time that suits you.
Home-Start St Helens School Readiness Volunteers usually give 1-2 hours of their time each week, visiting a local family in their home to provide play support with a child and parent. We support any family who want to engage in school readiness guidance with e.g. Communication & language and behaviour.
Home-Start St Helens Family Walk and Talk Together with Volunteers usually give 2 hours of their time each week supporting parents/carers and children on our community walks. Helping them to meet other families and have a chat which can then increase their confidence and help to clear their mind in the fresh air. Any family who lives in St. Helens can access the sessions.
Volunteering can teach you valuable employability skills – Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. The skills are valuable and transferable and can lead to paid employment in your chosen career.
All our Volunteers:
- Volunteers are required to complete an 8-session training course one day per week 10am to 2.30pm. This will ensure all volunteers have the most up to date information to effectively support local families. This also provides you with the opportunity to make new friends.
- Receive lots of support from Home-Start staff both during the Preparation Course and after when they are supporting families.
- Can access Free Additional Training and Social Events throughout the year.
- D.B.S check is required and will be paid for by Home-Start St. Helens.
- Receive all out of pocket expenses incurred while volunteering for Home-Start.
For further
information and/or have a chat please call 01744 737400 and ask for Jayne or
email [email protected]