Who volunteers, why and how?
WHO VOLUNTEERS?
Parents supporting parents
Our volunteers are committed and caring people who offer their time freely. They are usually parents themselves and bring with them personal experience, skills and knowledge of the resources available within their local area.
They are friendly and approachable and can be relied on and trusted by parents to listen without being judgemental, and to respect the needs of each individual family.
Could you be a family support volunteer?
Are you:
All volunteers:
WHY VOLUNTEER?
75% of volunteers say that volunteering improves their mental health.
Home-Start Wokingham District has a fantastic reputation within the Voluntary Sector, providing opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills, meet new people, feel valued and have fun, with the support of staff committed to ensuring that they get the most from their volunteering experience. But don’t take our word for it! This is what some of our volunteers say when we asked them what they get out of Home-Start:
TESTIMONIALS
“I suppose it’s connecting with people, the feeling of being able to help others and the personal satisfaction of seeing families gain confidence as they work through their personal challenges.”
“It’s great to be the person who can make that difference and to know how much your help is appreciated. The ongoing family visits have challenged me and made me look at life from a different perspective … I’d encourage others who are thinking about volunteering to take the plunge.”
“I started volunteering because I thought I had something to give. As it’s turned out I feel I get a lot more back than I give. I have met wonderful and interesting people and have been humbled by their life stories. I have learned that you don’t have to be a larger than life character to make a difference to someone. You don’t have to be a fount of all knowledge or feel under pressure to say something profound. Just being there and together is enough.”
HOW TO VOLUNTEER?
At Home-Start Wokingham, we believe that parents are the key to giving their children the best possible start in life. But sometimes, families need a little extra support—and that’s where our amazing volunteers come in.
By sharing your time, experience, and compassion, you can make a real and lasting impact on families in your community. Right now, we have a growing list of families waiting for support, and we’re looking for caring, dedicated people to join our team.
In return, we’ll provide comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a rewarding experience—one that not only helps others but also gives you the chance to meet new people, enhance your wellbeing, and develop valuable skills.
Without our volunteers Home-Start simply would not exist
We currently have 30 volunteers but we have a list of families waiting for support. We are always looking for caring people with a genuine desire to make a difference to families in the Wokingham Borough to volunteer with us.
In return we will provide all the training, guidance and support you need to be effective and make a real difference, whilst also providing you with the opportunity to meet new friends, enhance your wellbeing and develop transferable skills to take into the workplace.
Preparation course
The three week preparation course runs for five hours a week at a venue in or around Wokingham.
It takes the form of a fun and interactive workshop to ensure that you fully understand how we work and what to expect – we will never place you with a family unless you feel happy, confident and ready.
It is not an academic course, but you will get out what you put in. The learning is done through small group activities and discussions. You will be supported fully throughout your journey with Home-Start Wokingham by a Scheme Coordinator.
We aim to run 2-3 courses a year. To find out the date of the next course please get in touch.
The topics covered include:
If you are interested in joining us as a volunteer please get in touch. We will contact you to talk it through and, if you decide to volunteer, we will get you booked onto the next available preparation course.