Volunteer

Volunteering with Home Start Watford & Three Rivers

We support and look after our volunteers the way we support and look after our families. Coordinators are always available for a friendly chat and a listening ear, volunteers’ receiver regular supervisions and are able to attend a minimum of 4 training sessions per year , specifically reflecting the trends they are seeing in the community. We also get together socially and offer low-cost counselling to our volunteers.

Find out more today

Home-Visiting Volunteers– Provide practical and emotional support to families in their own homes for 2-3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months. We run regular courses to help volunteers prepare for supporting families.
Family Group Volunteers– Help run inclusive, play-based group sessions for parents and young children. 2-3 hours per week, to help at our Leavesden or Oxhey family group, flexible
Counselling Volunteers – Trainee or fully qualified Counsellors who can offer one-to-one support to parents facing emotional or mental health challenges. A minimum of 18 months commitment
Trustees– Support the strategic direction and governance of Home-Start – a minimum of 1 years commitment
Fundraising Team – Help raise vital funds to keep our services running- helping plan and organise events and attending events in the community, flexible
Admin Support or Specialist Skills – Provide support in administration, finance, IT, or other specialist areas to support the charity, flexible
Work Placements – We welcome students and trainees looking to gain experience in family support, volunteering, or the charity sector – discussion on enquiry

“As each volunteer talks about the family currently being supported, it is very helpful to hear about the different problems/situations that arise and through general discussion analyse the best way to deal with these issues and where to go for additional help”

Around 45% of our volunteers come from a health, education or social background

0 %

The average age of one of our volunteers is 48 years old

Nearly a third of our volunteers come from ethnic minority backgrounds

0 %

Between our volunteers we speak over 24 languages (inc BSL)

Thank you to our Charity Partner, Teachappy, who worked with us on the video below to show the difference our volunteers make for local families.

Having a Home-Start volunteer by your side helps you feel more connected to your local community, getting out to events, discovering local facilities, and building confidence to join in with what’s happening around you.

Supporting our volunteers

Recruitment – home-visits and hybrid prep course
Regular supervision – as per Home-Start agreement
Newsletters & regular service updates, 8 weekly and as necessary
Hearing the voice of volunteers; regular surveys, feedback forms
Appreciation events
Safety Nets
Coffee mornings
Counselling for volunteers – Heal the healers

Supporting our Volunteer, Nikki

Why did I choose to volunteer for Home-Start?

As a mum that used Home-Start in 2019 when I left my husband, all of a sudden, I was alone and isolated. A mum of a 1yr old that had to co-parent under difficult circumstances. I was also grieving and I am disabled.

I was the most vulnerable I have ever been. My Home-Start volunteer helped me to gain control of my life again and the ability to continue, and continue well.

I want others to have the chance that I was given to flourish & thrive.
Give them the same hope, support & encouragement that was given to me.

I find that being a volunteer keeps me grounded & grateful.
I cannot put into words the feeling you get when the family you are supporting feel comfortable enough to share their deepest personal feelings, simply say thank you, smile or laugh for the 1st time while you are visiting or a child’s face lights up when you arrive.

The list of personal rewards I get is endless- it keeps my heart warm for sure.

How did my Home Start volunteer help me?

I was the most vulnerable I have ever been. My Home-Start volunteer helped me to gain control of my life again and the ability to continue, and continue well.

Why is volunteering so important to me?

I want others to have the chance that I was given to flourish and thrive. Give them the same hope, support & encouragement that was given to me.

I find that being a volunteer keeps me grounded & grateful. I cannot put into words the feeling you get when the family you are supporting feel comfortable enough to share their deepest personal feelings, simply say thank you, smile or laugh for the 1st time while you are visiting or a child’s face lights up when you arrive.

The list of personal rewards I get is endless- it keeps my heart warm for sure.

“Supporting this family has given me a huge sense of pride. I have been able to see them blossom in confidence as the time has gone on, despite some ups and downs. Every week I leave feeling like I have made a difference to this family which has, in turn boosted my own self confidence”

Simple ways your team can support us

Want to volunteer for us?

Get in Touch

#BecauseChildhoodCantWait #HomeStartSupport #HomeStartFundraising #HomeStartFamilyGroup #HomeStartFamily #HomeStartCommunity #HomeVisitingVolunteers #HomeStartCounselling #HomeStartTrustee

The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so that no child’s future is limited.

Contact

Company Number 05385393

Charity Number 1108847

Find Us

Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers
The Lord-Lieutentant’s Charity Hub
6 Hercules Way
Leavesden
Watford
WD25 7GS

Home-Start supporting families & young children for over 30 years! |