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Most of our volunteers are parents who either live or work in the community or with our key service provider agencies.
Stages in becoming a Home-Start Brent Volunteer cover:
Initial inquiry
After an initial inquiry from a potential, volunteer, we will send an information pack, including:
Personal Specification and Job Description
1st Interview: Further interest from an applicant may well lead to the first interview to examines an applicant’s past history, attitudes, work record & relationships, for suitability for the role.
CRB police check
An enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau is required for all volunteers who will be working with families or children.
10 Mandatory training sessions to cover:
1. The role of Home-Start and Volunteers
2. Confidentiality
3. Commitment and boundaries
4. Working in the community
5. Child Protection
6. Listening and Communication Skills
7. Health and Safety issues for volunteers
8. Family Life
9. Cultural needs and awareness
10. Matching meeting and moving forward
References
HSB will then take up references from 2 referees with questions asked in letter form.
2nd Interview - successful applicants will then undertake another interview in the potential Volunteer's Home to review the course they attended and re-assess placement requirements
HSB Volunteer Coordinator meets with the target family which the new volunteer will be working with, prior to being matched
Match volunteer with Family
Here is what Paul Jones has to say about the Home-Start Brent volunteer preparation course.
One person can make a difference…….
“I heard about Home-Start Brent through a friend who was enthused by the work she was doing for that organisation. I applied to become a volunteer and was soon meeting other trainees on the Volunteer Preparation Course, which was an informative and challenging experience.
The course prepares you well for when you are placed with a family. It improves your listening and communication skills, as well as being able to gain more confidence in supporting not just the family but also in everyday situations, When I was on the preparation course, I was the only male person, but it made no difference to me because we were all equal, supportive and non-judgemental to each other. The whole group interacted well and were all friendly, this made it a relaxed atmosphere, fun and easier to learn.
I have been a Home Visiting volunteer for over a year now and have supported a family for eleven months. I find it challenging but fulfilling knowing that I can offer support to people that need it.
I also have been volunteering with Connexions, providing mentoring and support once a week in a school, as well as help tutoring at an after-school education support club (Literacy And Maths). I used to assist at a youth club on Saturday’s but that is not open anymore.
As well as all the volunteering I do, I still have time for myself. In my spare time I like to watch and play football and tennis. I enjoy cooking, travelling and have seen many countries (even ‘trying’ to learn some of the native languages of the places I have visited). My other interests include: IT - that is building computers and website design; music – listening to and playing my guitar and bass guitar; shopping and socialising with my friends.”
Paul Jones
Volunteer
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