The Old Coach House
Martlet Road
Minehead
TA24 5QD
01643 707304
office at homestart-westsomerset dot org dot uk
ali at homestart-westsomerset dot org dot uk
Make a difference, become a Home-Start volunteer
Will I be the right sort of person to support a family?
Home-Start volunteers are all ages and from all walks of life. All that we ask of you is that you have experience of bringing up children and can spare between two and four hours a week.
What would visiting a family involve?
This varies. You could spend time with a young parent, helping to build their confidence as they adapt to life with a small baby, or share an outing with a family who finds getting out of the house difficult. The visits might involve offering an extra pair of hands to a family with several children or providing a listening ear to a mother who is suffering from postnatal illness.
What will I gain from being volunteer?
- You will be helping a family to cope with the pressures they are facing and make a real difference to the lives of parents and their children
- You will receive support and training to prepare you for all aspects of your role with Home-Start. Our Preparation Course for Volunteers is now accredited allowing them to gain credits for the Open College Network.
- You will make new friends and have lots of fun
- You will develop new skills and have some wonderful experience to add to your CV
Out of pocket expenses will be paid.
I'm not a parent, can I still get involved?
Yes you can. We always need volunteers, parents or non-parents, who could support the scheme by helping with fundraising activities or by joining our trustee board and getting involved in the running of scheme. For these roles you would not need to be a parent.
What Next?
If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer please Contact Us using the details at the top of the page.
Home-Start - I knew nothing in the beginning although I had been involved with children for 40 years!
I enjoyed the prep course because it enabled me to meet like minded people. We all knew that there were mums and dads who need a friend because we had nearly all been in that position ourselves at some point in our lives. We were given (a wide spectrum of information in an enjoyable way and the lunches were magnificent!!
I was really nervous as I met Anne to go and visit my number I family for the first time - where should I park? What should I wear? What would they think of an old lady?
I met all the family in one go - quite a household. Had grandma and grandad come to inspect me? The children certainly did!!
We got on well together - happy and sad moments. I was always made to feel welcome. They have moved on and so has our relationship - we are all friends now.
I had similar feelings as Anne and I walked up to the door of my number 2 family some months later. A new baby but I only got to hold her once. We were not getting on in the same way but I kept trying. I did succeed in helping them to get quite (a considerable refund for bus fare for hospital visits.
Family number 3 - I'm getting used to the feeling that I experience - it's very exciting now because I know that for however long I visit this family I have helped them in some small way.
I get a real buzz from what I am doing. I enjoyed my job for 40 years but this is different. I feel honoured to be invited into families homes. Anne, Ali and Janet make all of us feel special and I know that they are there when I need them.
Download a Volunteers Diary and Expenses Sheet on the downloads page.