Home-Start Central Lancashire
There for parents when they need us most,
because childhood can't wait
*Credit goes to Home-Start Corby and Home-Start UK for the video.*
Follow Kelly’s story about her personal experience in being supported by Home-Start Corby, and how having a volunteer has improved the quality of life for her and her family.
Home-Start Central Lancashire aims to offer support, guidance, and practical help to families in the local area who are under stress in their own homes, to help to prevent family crisis and breakdowns. Our family support service helps to increase confidence, resilience, and independence to enable families to achieve specified goals identified in partnership with our Family Co-Ordinators.
Our volunteers are the heart of our organisation, and we appreciate every person who dedicates some of their time to supporting other families in their time of need. In return we are continually developing our training programmes, our volunteer incentive schemes and working hard to build a social community to ensure our volunteers know just have valued they really are.
Volunteers do not need any formal qualifications to join our supportive community, your knowledge and skills from your own experiences are valuable and transferable to meet the needs of others. Giving a family the opportunity to be supported by a volunteer with adequate life skills can make a positive difference in their lives. However, we are also here to support you with your volunteering journey; where training, advice and guidance will be given to help you to develop and expand your existing knowledge and skills.
If you have time to spare and you wish to dedicate this time to helping others, we would like to hear from you.
If you are a student in Health and Social Care, Psychology, Community Studies, Marketing and Product Design we would also like to hear from you, as we are able to support your requirement to complete placement hours.
If you are in an educational setting wishing to extend your placement offer to your students, we would like to hear from you as we have services that can meet your requirements.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you into our community.
Volunteer Roles
We require volunteers to fill a range of roles including:
In-Home Support Volunteer
Telephone Befriending
Fundraising Volunteer
Admin Volunteer
Student Specific Volunteers i.e Counsellors, psychotherapists, marketing
Other – tell us your skills and knowledge
Qualities Needed
- You must be over 18 years of age to volunteer
- You will be someone who enjoys quality conversations, has a positive attitude, a good sense of humour and a caring nature.
- You must have good communication and interpersonal skills, especially the ability to listen.
- You must be passionate about supporting, enabling and empowering people who are vulnerable, isolated or in need of support.
- You must have a non-judgemental attitude to working with people of any gender, family status, sexual identity, ethnic origin, culture, religion or disability.
- You must understand that some of our families are vulnerable, and it would be an advantage if you had an awareness of key issues such as alcohol, drug abuse and mental health; however, this is not a compulsory requirement as training is provided.
- You must adhere to the boundaries, policies and procedures as set out by Home Start.
- You must always apply the strictest confidence with regards to the sensitivity of those that you are supporting.
- You must be able to deal with difficult situations in a professional manner.
- You must have the ability to use your own initiative.
- You must respect equality and diversity.
- You must be able to commit to regular contact with the family you support.
- You must be able to provide a clear DBS, if you do not have a current certificate this can be applied for.
Benefits of Volunteering
- By becoming an In-House Volunteer, you are accepting the opportunity that could mark the turning point is someone’s life.
- This is a rewarding role that offers an excellent opportunity for personal development by obtaining new skills, experiences and a chance to put something back into the community.
- You will become part of Home Start Central Lancashire’s Support Community, alongside fellow volunteers and support staff.
- You will be invited to attend social events throughout the year to socialise with the team.
- If you are currently a university student, you can use your volunteering hours towards your compulsory placement hours.
If you would like to volunteer for us, or request more information on volunteering with Home-Start, please fill out the form below and we will contact you. Alternatively, you can call the office on 01257 241636.
Training & Support
All volunteers are thoroughly trained and supported before and during their time supporting families. You can expect:
- Self-directed and instructor led induction training, that is delivered both online and in-person.
- Ongoing training into specific areas including trauma informed practice, domestic violence and abuse, and attachment theory.
- Annual refresher training to ensure you are up to date with all statutory requirements
- Regular support and supervision sessions with an experienced family support worker
- Paid expenses when you complete your training and are actively supporting a family within their home.
Register Your Interest Form
Our Training Programme is currently under restructure. Watch this space for future training dates.
Next: Volunteer Testimonials
