Volunteer Hub
Home Visiting Volunteer
Organisation Details
Home Start Manchester
Sub theme: Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Children, Disability, Domestic Violence, Drugs, Alcohol and Addictions, Health and Wellbeing, Homeless and Housing, Mental Health
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Description of role: Home-Start Manchester offers weekly emotional and practical support to parents and children—usually in the family's own home. Many parents need help, friendship, advice, or support during the early years of raising children. There’s no rulebook for parenting, and it can feel overwhelming, especially during difficult times.
Why Families Reach Out
Families may seek support for a variety of reasons, including:
- Feeling isolated or lacking nearby family and friends
- Coping with health challenges (their own or their child’s)
- Experiencing depression or anxiety
- Managing the demands of twins, triplets, or multiple children under five
- Needing help accessing appointments
- Lacking confidence in their parenting abilities
We support any family living in Manchester with at least one child under five.
What We Look For in Volunteers
We welcome volunteers who bring:
- Good listening skills and empathy
- An understanding of others facing challenges
- Experience working with children or personal parenting experience
Our Safer Recruitment procedures include an application, references, and an enhanced DBS check. Volunteers must complete full training before being matched with a family. Ongoing support and supervision are provided every six weeks by a named coordinator to ensure volunteers feel confident and supported.
What to Expect
- Volunteers are matched with one family and asked to visit weekly
- Support is not time-limited and may continue for six months or longer
- Visits are scheduled at a convenient time during the day
- Travel and out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed
This role is especially suited to those pursuing careers in health and social care, offering valuable experience, practical skills, and confidence in working with families and children.
Why Families Reach Out
Families may seek support for a variety of reasons, including:
- Feeling isolated or lacking nearby family and friends
- Coping with health challenges (their own or their child’s)
- Experiencing depression or anxiety
- Managing the demands of twins, triplets, or multiple children under five
- Needing help accessing appointments
- Lacking confidence in their parenting abilities
We support any family living in Manchester with at least one child under five.
What We Look For in Volunteers
We welcome volunteers who bring:
- Good listening skills and empathy
- An understanding of others facing challenges
- Experience working with children or personal parenting experience
Our Safer Recruitment procedures include an application, references, and an enhanced DBS check. Volunteers must complete full training before being matched with a family. Ongoing support and supervision are provided every six weeks by a named coordinator to ensure volunteers feel confident and supported.
What to Expect
- Volunteers are matched with one family and asked to visit weekly
- Support is not time-limited and may continue for six months or longer
- Visits are scheduled at a convenient time during the day
- Travel and out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed
This role is especially suited to those pursuing careers in health and social care, offering valuable experience, practical skills, and confidence in working with families and children.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Team Working, Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM, Friday PM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 3 hours per week
Location:
Woodville Family Hub, Shirley Rd
Manchester
M80NE