If you have a heart for getting alongside families who are struggling within your community, then becoming a Family Friend with Safe Families may be just the opportunity you have been looking for. Being a Family Friend with Safe Families is a brilliant way to get to know families in your community who need a bit of extra support and encouragement. Safe Families works across all of West Lothian, is a UK wide Christian charity and seeks to provide early intervention to the lives of struggling families in order to reduce any statutory service input. We provide full training and support for all of our volunteers and give them the chance to get alongside local people, helping them to strengthen their family life by befriending them, supporting them to be less isolated and to perhaps help them through a time of crisis. Volunteering opportunities can be flexible around the needs of the family and the volunteer so that they suit both parties. Being a family friend involves spending time with a child and/or a parent on a regular basis, having fun and giving support.

Sometimes life is hard and family members need a break. Our fully trained volunteer Host Families host child(ren) for short periods of time to provide rest and respite for both the child(ren) and their family. Becoming a Host Family with Safe Families is an amazing gift to local families in your community who are struggling to manage life for whatever reason. Safe Families works across all of Midlothian, is a UK wide Christian charity and seeks to provide early intervention to the lives of struggling families in order to reduce any statutory service input. We provide full training and support for all our volunteers, who come from all walks of life, and give them the chance to get alongside local people, helping to strengthen their family life by supporting them through a time of crisis. Volunteering opportunities can be flexible around the needs of the family and the volunteer so that they suit both parties. Hosting involves caring for children from a local family in your home overnight for a fixed length of time – either a few nights in a row or on a regular basis, a night at a time.