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Volunteer Development Scotland Ltd. (also known as Volunteer Scotland).
Charity registered in Scotland SC013740 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, No. SC106743. Our registered Office is Jubilee House, Forthside Way, Stirling. FK8 1QZ

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Home visiting Volunteer

Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.

Many parents need help, friendship, and support when their children are young, perhaps because they are isolated with no family support; struggling with the emotional/physical demands of young children; experiencing post-natal depression; coping with their child's ill health or disability.

As a home-visiting volunteer you will be matched with a local family who you will visit at home each week for 2-3 hours. They might be new to the area, have children with additional needs, have health issues, lack confidence. Taking the lead from the family you will support them with what will help them most on the day – getting out & about, going to appointments, help with shopping, talking & listening. By building up a supportive relationship you will help the parents gain confidence and make a difference in the children’s lives.


Experience required

Volunteers should ideally have parenting experience (does not necessarily mean they should be parents themselves, they may have helped bring up siblings, step-children etc)

Volunteers should be non-judgemental, good listener, flexible and reliable.

Travel details

Home Start support families in Kirkcaldy, Kinghorn, Burntisland & Cardenden. Volunteers have a say in what area they wish to work in and non-drivers will be matched with a family they can get to easily by public transport.

Travel expenses

Home start reimburse bus fares and pay 45p per mile car mileage. Usually paid monthly but can pay more often if required

Support
Training details

All volunteers must complete a preparation course. This is a mixture of online modules to do in their own time and four 2-hour face-to-face group sessions.

Once a volunteer is matched with a family, they have supervision sessions with a coordinator every 4-6 weeks.

Regular on-going training is offered on relevant topics and volunteer meet-ups with speakers from local organisations are organised. Volunteers can also access online training via Home-Start UK.


Restrictions

Minimum age: 16

Availability
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Frequency & commitment
2 hours per week

Volunteers (aged 16-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
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