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<h2><strong>About volunteering</strong></h2><p>We would not be able to undertake our work without the unstinting efforts of our volunteers. They provide a listening ear, help with childcare issues and practical assistance where a family needs it most. We’re looking for people with very special skills of empathy, friendliness, adaptability and common sense.</p><p>A typical volunteer will display most of the following characteristics:</p><ul><li>Demonstrate a sensitive, caring, positive attitude towards all people regardless of their ethnicity, gender or sexual identity.</li><li>Have a non-judgemental attitude.</li><li>Be clear about confidentiality but be able to decide when disclosure of a confidence is essential to the well-being of a child.</li><li>Be reliable and understand the importance of reliability to the family.</li><li>Have good communication and listening skills.</li><li>Have a warm and open personality and a sense of humour.</li><li>Have time and enthusiasm for Home-Start.</li><li>Be prepared to keep records as requested by the scheme.</li></ul><h2><strong>What you'll be expected to do</strong></h2><p>A volunteer is expected to work towards the increased confidence and independence of the family by:</p><ul><li>Offering support, friendship and practical help.</li><li>Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected.</li><li>Empowering parents to see the positive aspects of family life.</li><li>Developing a trusting relationship with the family.</li><li>Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children.</li><li>Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community.</li></ul><h2><strong>Training Programme</strong></h2><p><strong>Each volunteer undertakes a structured training course to prepare them for their new role. The aims of the course are as follows:</strong></p><ul><li>To enable volunteers to develop an understanding of and a commitment to the Home-Start philosophy.</li><li>To enable volunteers to explore their own values and attitudes, making them better able to understand and support families.</li><li>To help volunteers to develop their self awareness and skills so that they feel confident in their role in supporting families.</li><li>To achieve a secure working relationship between volunteers and the Coordinator.</li><li>To provide volunteers with relevant information including a knowledge of Home-Start procedures.</li><li>To enable the Coordinator to get to know the volunteers well enough to assess their strengths and limitations, with a view to matching them with an appropriate family.</li></ul><p><strong>Topics covered:</strong></p><ul><li>What is Home-Start?</li><li>What is a volunteer?</li><li>How can YOU help?</li><li>Relationships</li><li>Listening and communicating.</li><li>Confidentiality.</li><li>Values and attitudes.</li><li>Commitment</li><li>Boundaries</li><li>Child development and play</li><li>Health Visitor visit</li><li>Special Educational Needs</li><li>Helping children with Special Needs</li><li>Equal Opportunities</li><li>Loss, change and endings</li><li>Experiences of current volunteers</li><li>Mental Health</li><li>Signposting Home-Start families to other services</li><li>How Home-Start helps</li><li>Personal Safety</li><li>Recognising children at risk of harm</li><li>Domestic Violence and Women’s Refuge</li><li>The Children’s Act and Every Child Matters</li><li>Admin</li></ul><p><strong>Continuing Development</strong></p><p>Volunteers are expected to attend in-service training days which are held each year. Recent subjects have included Safeguarding, First Aid, self esteem, financial well-being and Mental Health. We hold social events from time to time and encourage volunteers to become more widely involved in the work of the charity.</p><h2><strong>About you</strong></h2><p>Mostly what we look for is friendliness and a caring attitude, as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting. We value people who don’t judge others and who will treat a mother or father as an equal.</p><p>Following the 24 hour training course you need to be able to visit a family once a week for about two hours.</p><h2><strong>How to apply</strong></h2><p>In the first instance please contact our office on 01962 851177. We prefer to chat to potential volunteers before they make a formal applications.</p>

1 Home-Start Winchester and Districts Job