If you're a parent or a carer, or maybe a grandparent, you know just how tough family life can be at times.

And we know it too. Our volunteers, who have parenting experience, help families with all sorts of problems, from the everyday to the overwhelming. Problems such as:

• Loneliness and isolation
• Relationship difficulties
• Coping with twins/triplets etc or several pre-school children
• Ill health, disability or special needs
• Lone parenting
• First-time parenthood or new babies
• Coping with bereavement
• Post-natal illness
• Children's behavioural issues

Please note that this list is anything but exhaustive - take a look at some of the Family Stories and Volunteer Stories on this website, or read the comments of our celebrity supporters, to get a fuller flavour of how Home-Start volunteers can help.

What do volunteers actually do?

Our volunteers will usually visit a parent in their home once a week for a couple of hours. How they help is really down to the needs of the family. Some might need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on, someone to have a laugh with. Others may need help keeping appointments or accessing local services and 'connecting' with their local community. Our volunteers can provide an extra pair of hands to help people cope with everyday parenting situations, or practical help with activities like playing or reading stories.

Home-Start's approach is very personal and friendly and this often reassures parents that what they're going through is not unusual, that they are not alone.

So who are our volunteers?

They are people just like you - ordinary people who understand just how hard it can be to bring up young children. They all have parenting experience - some are young, others are not so young - and they come from many different backgrounds. Some have even been helped by Home-Start themselves.

Do you need any qualifications to be a volunteer?

The only real 'qualification' you need to become a Home-Start volunteer is experience of bringing up children. You will be friendly and understanding and have a practical approach to problems. You don't judge people, you accept them for what they are and then strive to support them as they try to give their children the best possible start in life. You will receive full training on one of our preparation courses, and have an enhanced level criminal records check, before being carefully matched with families where your own set of experiences and skills can help the most.

Can you help?

• Contact your local Scheme
• E-mail volunteering@home-start.org.uk or
• Contact our freephone information line on 0800 068 63 68

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