Where: Online
Commitment Required: Various/flexible
Training provided: Yes

About being a Digital Online Volunteer:

 This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, meet new friends and support families digitally within your community!

Your role will be to provide emotional support to families who may be struggling to cope. You will offer support in a way that works for you both; this may be chatting to them on the phone weekly or through other digital platforms such as Skype or Zoom. Through your conversations, you will be supporting parents through a variety of issues,  offering advice and sharing your own experiences.

Requirements of the role:

Our Digital befrienders are required to have:

• Parenting or caring experience
• Commit to our training programme
• Undergo referencing and an enhanced criminal records check
• Understand that support provided to families is completely confidential
• Have a non-judgemental attitude and understand about the pressures of bringing up a family

Training provided:

All volunteers are required to complete training to prepare them for their volunteer role.

The training provides an opportunity for you to ask questions and understand the importance of your role, whilst also giving staff the time to get to know you, so that they can match you with the right family.

Our training is designed by family practitioners and experts in the industry and covers essential information including:

• The role of a Home-Start volunteer
• Values, attitudes and inclusivity
• Confidentiality
• Listening and communication
• Meeting the needs of families and children
• Safeguarding

Support provided:

We invest in our volunteers from day one, ensuring they are supported by a paid member of staff throughout their time volunteering with us through:

• regular support and supervision sessions
• paid expenses during training and while you support a family
• additional training
• formal qualifications (available at some local Home-Starts)

Interested in finding out more? Register your interest today.