“I completed my training in April 2018 in which I met some lovely ladies and learnt a lot of information in order to enable me to be a good volunteer.

At the beginning Mum had issues with trust and I worked on that by just being there every week
and listening to her and just generally playing with the children. As we built our relationship Mum talked to me a lot about feeling isolated and how she found it hard going out with the all of the children. This had led her to being very isolated. Each week I take a different selection of puzzles, games and books and the children decide what they would like to do. Every week when I ring the doorbell I hear my name being shouted by the children and I love to hear that.

We have been out on several occasions over the school holidays with all of the children to the local park and it’s lovely to see the children out in the fresh air.

Being a Home-Start volunteer has been amazingly rewarding for me, even though I still find it hard to believe that my being there for just two hours a week can make so much difference to a family.

I look forward to continuing my work with them and the day they feel ready to say “thank you for all your visits but we feel ready for you to move on to another family.”

~ Anna

‘‘I have been a Home-Start Volunteer for approximately 6 months, and have worked with one
family since I completed my training course.

The biggest highlight for me is without a doubt getting a sense of satisfaction from directly helping a family. It is a good feeling to know that just helping with that task of getting 2 children to the park, or to play group, or playing at home, or aiding mum with a household job, can significantly improve the quality of the family’s day. Another great pleasure is watching the children develop, learn and change as the months go past. I enjoy having the time to stimulate their interest and learning in a way which perhaps has not been offered to them before.

In the summer holidays, we managed some whole days out, which was hugely helpful to the family as mum does not drive. Aldingbourne Country Centre was such a success, and both children loved their 2 days there, as indeed did I.

Although the focus is on the children, I find that the time spent chatting with mum, especially whilst walking to and from play group has been beneficial. She likes to offload her worries, and tell me about how the children have reacted and behaved (or not!) through the week. This is a great opportunity to praise mum for her skills and efforts. It also relieves the boredom for her, and we have chatted about many things going right back to her own childhood.

The support I have received from the supervisors has been wonderful. It is easy to discuss concerns. Communication with the team is good, and I like the option of attending training courses. I also like meeting other volunteers at Claire’s weekly play group.

I really have enjoyed my first 6 months as a volunteer, and have felt fulfilled, busy and useful. I have tolerated the abundance of snot and nappies, but have relished the baby cuddles, and the toddler imagination of finding dinosaurs in puddles!’

~ Lisa