Our Volunteers
We have many volunteers covering most of the Mansfield area from all walks of life here to support you.
We’re always looking to recruit new volunteers, so why not apply today!
You only need a few spare hours in the week and you don’t need to drive. See our FAQ section below for more information.
Note: Parenting experience is essential.
Documents
Read through our Guides below before applying.
Documents
Read through our Guides below before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Home-Start is a national charity available in hundreds of local communities. We recruit and train volunteers to help families with young children. Our volunteers, who know about being a parent, support other parents by visiting them in their own homes for a couple of hours each week. We also run support groups and hold social events for families.
All kinds of families can find it hard to cope for all sorts of reasons, maybe because of the illness or disability of a child or because of a parent’s post -natal illness, bereavement or loneliness. At Home-Start we support any parent with at least one child under five who asks for our help. Our supported families, like our volunteers, come from all walks of life.
Yes. All parents know that those early years before school are vital in a child’s life and at Home-Start we believe parents have the key role in creating a secure childhood for their children. It’s just that sometimes they need a bit of help…your help.
Usually you visit a family in their own home, once a week for a couple of hours. How you help is really down to the family. Volunteers support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. Simple things make a big difference: listening, getting out of the house, or helping sort a problem a parent can’t face alone.
The only real ‘qualification’ is experience of bringing up children. Friendliness and a caring attitude are essential as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting. We value people who don’t judge others; people who will respect the fact that they have been invited into a family’s home; people who will treat a mother or father as an equal.
Yes. The recruitment, induction, training and support of all our volunteers is really important. You will be supported during your training and throughout your contact with families. Home-Start’s highly rated Preparation Course is also accredited by CERTA. If your Home-Start offers this accreditation you will be able to gain credits and get formal recognition of your training.
Knowing you have helped; a boost to your self-esteem and confidence; even a foot on the ladder towards a job.
Yes. Local Home-Starts also need volunteers to help run family groups and social activities and to help raise funds. They also need volunteer trustees to help manage their work.
Home-Start is a national charity available in hundreds of local communities. We recruit and train volunteers to help families with young children. Our volunteers, who know about being a parent, support other parents by visiting them in their own homes for a couple of hours each week. We also run support groups and hold social events for families.
All kinds of families can find it hard to cope for all sorts of reasons, maybe because of the illness or disability of a child or because of a parent’s post-natal illness, bereavement or loneliness. At Home-Start we support any parent with at least one child under five who asks for our help. Our supported families, like our volunteers, come from all walks of life.
Yes. All parents know that those early years before school are vital in a child’s life and at Home-Start we believe parents have the key role in creating a secure childhood for their children. It’s just that sometimes they need a bit of help…your help.
Usually you visit a family in their own home, once a week for a couple of hours. How you help is really down to the family. Volunteers support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. Simple things make a big difference: listening, getting out of the house, or helping sort a problem a parent can’t face alone.
The only real ‘qualification’ is experience of bringing up children. Friendliness and a caring attitude are essential as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting. We value people who don’t judge others; people who will respect the fact that they have been invited into a family’s home; people who will treat a mother or father as an equal.
Yes. The recruitment, induction, training and support of all our volunteers is really important. You will be supported during your training and throughout your contact with families. Home-Start’s highly rated Preparation Course is also accredited by CERTA. If your Home-Start offers this accreditation you will be able to gain credits and get formal recognition of your training.
Knowing you have helped; a boost to your self-esteem and confidence; even a foot on the ladder towards a job.
Yes. Local Home-Starts also need volunteers to help run family groups and social activities and to help raise funds. They also need volunteer trustees to help manage their work.
If the FAQ above did not answer all your questions, then please get in touch with us.