Volunteer for Home-Start
By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
Be a Home-Start volunteer
No special qualifications are necessary to become a Home-Start volunteer, but volunteers are usually parents or grandparents with an interest in, and experience of, young children and family life. We welcome volunteers from all sections of the community.
Talking and listening can empower families to overcome their difficult situations. Volunteers are offered on-going training and support activities including specialist speakers, as well as informal social gatherings.
What it takes to be a Home-Start Volunteer
You must be a parent or have parenting experience.
As a Home-Start volunteer you will support a family by visiting them at home, or out in the community, for around two to three hours once a week.
You should be able to commit at least one year of your time to Home-Start.
You should have a non-judgmental attitude and understand about the pressures of bringing up a family.
You will have to attend our free Volunteer Preparation Course with other new volunteers before meeting your first family.
When visiting a family travel expenses are paid.
You must understand that your support for families is completely confidential.
You will have to undergo a Disclosure Scotland criminal record check, as well as provide references.
You will meet regularly with, and be supported by, one of our co-ordinators during the time you are visiting families.
Do you have what it takes to be a Home-Start volunteer? Are you keen to help parents and children in your community? Please contact us to start your journey transforming lives in your area.
Volunteer stories
Kerry
“I have been volunteering since 2005. At the moment, I support two families every week for two and half hours each.”“I have twin girls and when they...
Jan
“I have been volunteering since 2003. I lived abroad when my children were at school and I always liked working with children. I was a busy mum and...
Training to be a Home-Start Kincardine volunteer
Our volunteers undergo a full training and assessment programme before being matched with a family. The Volunteer Preparation training course takes place in Stonehaven usually over the course of 4-5 weeks.
Volunteers will learn about health and wellbeing, child development, child protection, and a number of key areas of our specific services.
Volunteers receive support and supervision from a paid member of staff, as well as ongoing developmental training throughout the year.
Be a Home-Start Trustee
Our Trustees provide essential leadership, guidance, and governance from their own professional or lived experiences. They also play an important role as ambassadors for our work and can offer particular skills to the organisation We welcome interest from those who can be passionate about our work with parents, children, families and the community.
Importantly, the Board of Trustees should reflect the communities in which we work. We already benefit from a variety of skills, experiences and backgrounds and now need to add to that dynamic and creative team.
The commitment required of a trustee varies depending on their role, but they are required to attend meetings and engage in Board discussions via email. Further opportunities to get involved are possible too, so we can be flexible to suit individual motivations to volunteer.
Trustee Testimonials
I was looking for an opportunity to use my professional skills to contribute to a cause I really care about. I know how important it is to have support when things are difficult, and Home-Start Kincardine provides this vital service for families throughout Kincardine and the Mearns.
I was already a volunteer for Home-Start Kincardine when the opportunity arose for me to become a Trustee. I wanted my role on the board to bring a fresh perspective, to be a voice for the volunteers and to make sure all decisions put the needs of the families first.
Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.