Description
Volunteers help to increase confidence and independence in families by offering support, friendship and practical help. They visit families in their own homes in order to protect and respect each individual’s dignity and identity. A relationship then develops in which understanding and trust can grow. Volunteers often reassure families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual, emphasise the positive aspects of family life, encourage parents strengths and emotional well-being and encourage the family to widen their network and effectively use the support and services available in the community. A volunteer may choose to offer support to more than one family and is supported throughout by a co-ordinator. A Preparation Course is delivered in a fun and rewarding environment.
Organisation aims and objectives
Home-Start East Fife have been supporting families across East Fife for over 30 years. Every year 20 - 30 trained volunteers support an average of 60 families with around 170 children. Home-Start East Fife has a staff team of four who work with the Board of Trustees to train and support volunteers so they in turn can support families. Support takes two forms: home-visiting and Family Support Groups. Home-visiting volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week to offer friendship and support, whether parents need an extra pair of hands, help to get out, or just some adult company and a listening ear. In this rural area of North East Fife, social isolation is one of the recurring reasons families are referred to us. Families are referred to us by health visitors, social workers, community psychiatric nurses and other local professionals, or parents can refer themselves. In addition to home-visiting volunteers, Home-Start East Fife runs three Family Support Groups, in Auchtermuchty, St Andrews and Cupar. The Family Support Groups are only for families referred to Home-Start East Fife. They provide a safe and stimulating environment for our parents and their pre-school children. Within the groups, our Family Support Group Co-ordinator and volunteers organise activities aimed at improving parenting skills and promoting positive interaction between parent and child and within their peer groups. Family Support Groups also provide a supportive environment and information exchange for parents experiencing difficulties. The children are given healthy snacks, and have access to educational toys and an environment that allows for physical activity.
Availability
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one day per week for 6 - 7 weeks
Restrictions
Parenting experience required
Experience required: Parenting experience. Each volunteer visits a family in their own home, our families are based throughout East Fife and volunteers choose how near to or far from their own home they wish to volunteer.
Travel details: Some travel is likely to be required. This will we discussed with individual voluteers
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Monthly claim form to be completed for car usage (national rate paid) or will reimburse public transport (attach tickets).
Training details: Volunteers are required to attend a Course of Preparation (6 days over 6 weeks) which covers areas such as role of the volunteer, the kind of support to provide, parent & children's needs, child protection, listening, boundaries, play & confidentiality
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer