Home-Start Aberdeen is a Registered Charity  in Scotland SC012942

Volunteering   Our families and volunteers talk about how Home-Start changed their lives Watch our 'Changing Lives' film to find out how our volunteers support families. Our volunteers are usually parents themselves, are all ages and come from all walks of life. All volunteers attend a preparation course which is usually one session per week for eight weeks.  Volunteers are also required to provide two references and complete an enhanced disclosure check. At the end of the course, volunteers will be introduced to a family by a Co-ordinator.  This Co-ordinator will continue to support the volunteer throughout the time they are visiting the family.  Volunteers visit families weekly in their own home. Volunteers receive reqular support and supervision from their Co-ordinator and will also be expected to attend ongoing training sessions approximately 3 times per year. This offers an ideal opportunity for personal development and also a chance to meet up with other volunteers.  Volunteers receive out-of-pocket expenses. Anyone interested in volunteering, should contact the Home-Start Aberdeen office to set up an appointment with one of the Co-ordinators. Preparation courses run throughout the year. Useful Links:  Volunteer Application Form  Volunteer Person Specification  Volunteer Induction Programme

What Home Visiting Volunteers Do Visit the family regularly, usually once a week for a couple of hours. Reassure parents that difficulties they experience are not unique to them. Encourage parents to use local resources. Encourage parents, by highlighting the positive aspects of their parenting. Play with the children – to help stimulate children, or to give the parent some space and time for themselves. Help the family get out – perhaps to keep appointments, shopping or taking family to parks, etc. Volunteers can share their own parenting experiences and quite often they can be a listening ear.

What Home Visiting Volunteers Don't Do   Volunteers are not home helps. Volunteers are not babysitters. Volunteers must not take children to their own homes.

Last Modified : 08/05/2009