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.

We are committed to supporting our blind veterans no matter where they are. Our community home visitors provide crucial social interaction for our veterans who can’t reach our centres, and can often feel isolated or lonely. By popping by once a week or fortnight to see a veteran in their area, home visitors are a friendly face that can make all the difference to our veterans. You will never be asked to do any personal care. Although you will be working in the community independently, your manager is only a phone call away. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years and understand the importance of confidentiality and relationship boundaries. The role can be flexible around your other commitments, but we ask that you are reliable and punctual for our veterans. You will be fully trained and supported so you feel comfortable and confident in your volunteering.

Our Home Visitors play a vital role in delivery of our service by visiting potential volunteer pet foster carers to assess their house, home situation and the fosterer. You will be contacted by PFSS when there is a need for a home visit in your area. Main tasks: Contact the potential fosterer and arrange a time for the home visit to take place Carry out the home visit following the guidelines provided by PFSS. Complete the home visit report and return a copy to the Home Visit Coordinator

We ask home visitors have access to a vehicle to travel to home visits and be IT literate. Full training materials and ongoing support is offered. What PFSS looks for when assessing a foster carer’s home varies depending on the species they wish to foster. We ask that all foster carers be willing and able to safely keep foster cats indoors and foster dogs on a leash outdoors. Guidance on how to introduce a pet to their foster home is offered. You will be contacted by PFSS when there is a need for a home visit in your area, you will contact the potential volunteer and arrange a time for the home visit to take place. We have some standard home visit paperwork that is completed for each foster home. PFSS provides temporary care for pets when their owner has health problems, or is in an emergency situation. Priority is given to elderly owners, while we want to help as many owners and pets as possible we are not a boarding service or a re-homing charity. However through The Blue Cross and PFSS collaboration we will be in a better position to rehome pets who are not able to be returned to their owner. who come into our care legitimately but are unable to be reunited with their owner.