Volunteer Mentor

Volunteer mentor.

Location: Sittingbourne & Sheppey

Time commitment: flexible schedule, 2 hours a week

About us.

Home-Start Sittingbourne & Sheppey are a charity based in Sittingbourne. We recruit and train local volunteers. Once trained, volunteers are matched with a suitable local family. Volunteers help families with young children (at-least one under 5) by providing them with practical and emotional support within their own homes. Visits are made at the family’s homes so their confidentiality and individuality can be respected.

We are currently recruiting volunteer mentors from all walks of life. Do you have significant parenting experience? We need people with your knowledge to volunteer.

Are you a warm individual who would like to offer assistance and/or guidance to a local family?. Do you want to help a local family flourish? Becoming a volunteer mentor will allow you to do so.

Home-Start Sittingbourne & Sheppey follow safeguarding guidelines, policies and procedures set down by Home-Start UK. Home Start Sittingbourne & Sheppey are committed to safeguarding all children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We have trained staff and trustees who use NSPCC guidelines for safer recruitment of staff, volunteers and board members to ensure that all individuals in the team are competent and safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Volunteer mentor requirements / commitments.

· Volunteers must be local to Sittingbourne / Sheppey.

· Volunteers must have significant parenting experience. You do not need to be a parent yourself however you must have significant parenting experience. For example a social worker, midwife, health visitor, nursey worker, child minder etc.

· All volunteer mentors are required to attend a training course (course of preparation) prior to being matched with a family. This course is designed to prepare you to be able to meet the needs of the family you are matched with. Training will cover topics such as; your role as volunteer, values & attitudes, equity & diversity, confidentiality and safeguarding. Training can either be completed face-to-face or online as an e-learning course with 8 hours of face to face training with the manager.

· You will be required to provide two references and have an enhanced DBS check.

· Volunteers are required to visit their matched family at least once a week (usually 2 hours).

· Volunteer mentors support families in a way that suits their needs; this may include practical tasks such as getting out of the house, getting to and from appointments, or helping with organisation. Support could also include offering parenting guidance/advice, sharing experiences and/or supporting parents through emotional struggles.

· Volunteers need to attend supervision meetings (usually every 4-6 weeks) with the manager.

· Volunteers must read, sign and understand the Home-Start Safeguarding/Child Protection Code of Conduct, demonstrating and ensuring your commitment to your safeguarding responsibilities as a volunteer mentor.

· Volunteers must understand that support provided to families is completely confidential.

Skills required.

Experience of being a parent or carer is vital. This is important as your knowledge can provide a local family with the vital support they need.

· Are a supportive, understanding, warm, caring, friendly and accepting individual with a non-judgmental attitude.

· Can accept a parent for who they are.

· Understand the importance of confidentiality.

· Must have the ability to see strengths in others and help parents build upon theirs.

What will you get out of volunteering?

By volunteering a few hours each week you will be able to have a positive impact within your local community by transforming the lives of the families you help.

Volunteering can have a positive impact on your life as well because you will:

· Have a flexible volunteer role that can fit around your schedule

· Build connections within your local community

· Have the potential to make friends

· Increased self confidence

· Access free high quality training

· Have better health and well-being

· Personal development by improving your skills

· Gain valuable experience & improve your chances for work

· Have confidence knowing you are making a difference and having a positive impact on a family’s lives by sharing the knowledge and experience you have with them

· Paid out-of-pocket expenses

· Become part of the heart of Home-Start

· Help a local family flourish

If you are able to spare 2 hours a week and are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor for Home-Start Sittingbourne & Sheppey then please get in touch.