Volunteer & Support
THE ROLE OF THE HOME-START HARWICH VOLUNTEER
Home-Start Harwich is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress, in their own homes, helping to prevent family crises or breakdowns. Volunteers, who are parents or who have parenting experience understand that sometimes life can be tough and that is why their support can be so valuable in helping another family. Volunteers are central to the Home-Start service, we could not offer families the same support without them.
Our volunteers are always happy to get involved. Along with home-visiting and group support, they work as part of the Home-Start Harwich team at seasonal events and community engagements. Our Home-Start Harwich volunteers are committed and reliable and are extremely important to the service we offer.
Volunteering
Volunteer Preparation Course
Each prospective volunteer must attend the Preparation course. The course takes 25 hours over three to four weeks, it aims to build on the skills and experience the volunteer already has as a parent/carer, and no formal qualifications are needed. Further training is available once volunteering begins, including; first aid, drug and alcohol awareness, mental health, autism, food hygiene, managing stress and more.
Volunteer training
Our volunteers enjoy regular ‘thank you’ events, and fundraising, forming new friendships among themselves. They have attended Christmas meals, summer afternoon tea parties and games nights.