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  • ways-to-volunteer
  1. FAQs

Ways to volunteer

What ways can I volunteer with families?

Home-Start has 13,500 home-visiting volunteers as well as trustees, fundraisers and group workers, working in over 200 Home-Starts right across the UK as well as in British Forces bases in Cyprus. Opportunities mainly include becoming a home-visiting volunteer, working with family groups, becoming a trustee and helping with office administration or fundraising.  But there may also be other opportunities in your local Home-Start, too. So if you have particular skills you'd like to offer us, we'd love to hear from you!

To find out about the volunteering opportunities near you, you should contact your local Home-Start using our online map.

Scroll down to find out more about different ways to volunteer for us.

But first, see the different ways men and women across the UK help families, and what they get from it too:

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and generally give their time in one of the following roles:

Ways to volunteer - home visiting

Help parents and their children by visiting them for a couple of hours a week in their own homes.

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Across the UK, nearly 15,000 volunteers visit families at home each week offering support, friendship, emotional and practical help.

A home-visiting volunteer provides support for a family in the family’s own home, usually spending a couple of hours once a week with the parents and their children.  

You work with each family to help them in the way they need most.  This may be with practical tasks such as escaping from the house, getting to appointments or helping get organised; offering advice and sharing experiences; or supporting parents through emotional issues.

"The best thing about Mandy [my volunteer] is that she gave me the kind of help and support I know my family would give me if they were close."

A mum from Home-Start Edinburgh South Central, Scotland.

All of our home-visiting volunteers must:

  • have parenting experience
  • commit to our training programme
  • undergo an enhanced criminal records check

Published: 8th March, 2016

Updated: 12th September, 2019

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Ways to volunteer - local trustee

Each local Home-Start is an independent charity and being a trustee is all about the governance of the charity. Could you help plan and oversee how each Home-Start will support families in your community?

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Trustees serve on the governing body (board) of a charity and are responsible for directing the management and administration of it.

You would have a wide range of duties and be responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds. We have around 1,500 trustees who volunteer their time and skills. Could you provide:

  • general business management?
  • financial and legal expertise?
  • IT knowledge?
  • human resources experience?
  • PR & media skills?
  • knowledge of family support issues in the community?

Then we'd love to hear from you.


You would carry out out a wide range of duties and be responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and the sound management of funds.  You would commit to a minimum of 8 - 10 hours a month.

Neil and Graham tell us they enjoy about their trustee role: 

“I felt my experience and skills were going to waste until I was asked to join Home-Start. Now I feel that both Home-Start and I benefit by me being a trustee."

Graham, trustee Home-Start Mid Suffolk

It's a very fulfilling role. It's an extremely necessary role. And I think an awful lot of people would like to help.  So .... come along and help!

Neil Spurrier, trustee, Home-Start Richmond 

Published: 8th March, 2016

Updated: 29th October, 2021

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Ways to volunteer - other helping hands

From play groups to fundraising balls and social events, there are many opportunities for willing hands.

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Many local Home-Starts run additional services to support their work, such as:

  • playgroups,
  • toy libraries,
  • specialist groups for single dads, breastfeeding mums, or families affected by postnatal depression,
  • healthy eating sessions,
  • social activities like trips to parks, farms or the seaside, cinema nights, and more,
  • helping with fundraising - from quiz nights, crochet sessions and raffles to toddle-a-thons or glitzy fundraising balls,
  • drivers for families who are stuck without transport,
  • and so much more

It may also be that you can volunteer in a way that your local Home-Start hasn't thought about yet!

So if you want to get involved, get in touch and let us know what you have in mind.

Published: 8th March, 2016

Updated: 12th September, 2019

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Showing 10 of 3

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  • Find your Home-Start

    Find your Home-Start

    Find your nearest Home-Start using our online map.

  • About us

    About us

    Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.

  • Work for Home-Start UK

    Work for Home-Start UK

    The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff. Please find below current vacancies within Home-Start UK.

  • Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Scotland

  • Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Northern Ireland

  • Make a referral

    Make a referral

    We receive referrals from health visitors, GPs, social care and child care practitioners as well as those involved in mental health services, education, early years and probation.

  • Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Wales

  • Ways to volunteer - home visiting

    Help parents and their children by visiting them for a couple of hours a week in their own homes.

  • Home-visiting

    Home-visiting

    Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.

  • Find support for your family

    Find support for your family

    Family pressures can sometimes be difficult to manage without emotional support and guidance around you. Find out how you can get the support you need.

Because childhood can't wait

Because childhood can't wait

The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so no child's future is limited.

Donate here to support Home-Start UK’s work around the country. To support a local Home-Start, you can find their details here. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2015

Updated: 14th April, 2022

Author:

Comments: 8

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Home-Start UK. A charitable company limited by guarantee. Charity no. in England and Wales 1108837 and in Scotland SC039172. Company no. 5382181.

Registered office: The Crescent, King Street, Leicester, LE1 6RX. © Home-Start UK