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Home-Start Bristol 
& South Gloucestershire

There for parents when they need us most, because childhood can't wait

Become a Volunteer

Becoming a Home-Start volunteer is an incredibly rewarding experience. You will be able to give back to your community and help change parents and children’s lives. Our volunteers tell us the experience changes their lives as well – giving them new skills and experience as well as the satisfaction of having helped a family get back on track. If you would like details of our next training course, please scroll to the bottom of the page for more details and an application form.

Would You Make a Good Volunteer?

 All of our volunteers are parents themselves or have had substantial parenting experience, so they understand the challenges of family life.

Volunteers need to be able to offer 2-3 hours of their time, regularly each week and have some spare time to attend support meetings.  We ask that volunteers make a year’s commitment to the scheme.

All our volunteers complete a training preparation course before starting to visit families. This could be in person or online or a mixture of the two. The training covers issues such as child development and play, confidentiality, safeguarding children and understanding your role as a volunteer. Training and support continue while you are volunteering and you will also receive out of pocket expenses.

Once you have started home-visiting you will be well supported in your role by trained and professional Home-Start co-ordinators. You will also be invited to attend volunteer workshops to have the opportunity to meet other volunteers, discuss any issues and do further training.

Grandmothers like Christine make great HSB volunteers!

Mum Robyn was referred to us as she was undergoing chemotherapy. Volunteer Christine, a grandmother, was matched with the family and visits were timed so that Robyn could have a rest after her treatment and Christine could play with the baby.

Robyn, who has remained so positive throughout her treatment told us:

‘Having Christine here, so I can crack on and get things done has worked well. I can tidy up and clean and get on top of things. It is nice to have a chat at the end and to have some adult company. It has also given me the rest I needed, so that I can recover properly. Having that little break and respite away from the baby, has given me the breathing space I needed. I felt I could cope better and get through.’

Robyn

Mum

Christine-Volunteer

Make a difference – Become a Home-Visiting Volunteer

We run our volunteer training course three times a year and our next course will be delivered once a week for 6 consecutive weeks in Southmead. Our next course starts on Thursday 26th September and each session will run from 9.30 – 2.30. To apply please complete an application form (see below) or call us on 0117 9501170 and we can email you the details. Once we have received your application you will be contacted to arrange an interview.  We have also provided some other documents which you may find useful.  If successful references are taken up and an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check is carried out on all volunteers. If you have any other questions please get in touch and we will be pleased to help.

We are proudly supported by

Bristol City Council