Home-Start Blackmore Vale
There for parents when they need us most, because childhood can't wait
There are several ways you can help Home-Start Blackmore Vale in a voluntary capacity
- by supporting a family as a home-visiting volunteer
- by supporting a group of women suffering perinatal mental health “Mothers in Mind”
- by supporting our parent toddler group “Early Family Connections”
- by supporting a family or group of families on a walk
- by joining the Trustee Board
- by helping with fundraising
Home Visiting Volunteers
Home-Start Blackmore Vale’s home-visiting volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age, but all are either parents themselves or have parenting experience, they are carefully selected for their friendliness and understanding. All volunteers attend a preparation course before being matched with a family. They then take their own individual skills and experience to the families they visit. Our volunteers offer their time and friendship and accept a parent as they are. Ongoing training and support are always provided to volunteers. The family support is usually through supporting within the family’s home but might also include meeting up and/or walks outside the home, or through regular remote contact either by telephone or video call.
“Volunteering for Home Start is very rewarding. I am passionate about my work. I believe that families have many strengths and resources within them but at difficult times need support to help them regain confidence. I am privileged to work with families during troubled times and walk besides them providing a listening, empathetic, friendly ear.”
Mothers in Mind Volunteers
Ideally volunteers will be women who have themselves suffered with mental health issues who can empathise with the women and help to support the group to support each other and realise they are not the only one feeling they like do. They will listen and engage gently until the women gain confidence to open up and feel able to participate fully with their peers. Initial training and support will be provided. The group offers Mums a chance to talk to their peers and engage in a craft activity, so our volunteers are also needed to keep the babies and toddlers entertained. This provides Mum with some much needed ‘time out’.
Early Family Connections
Volunteers for this weekly group will ideally have had previous experience in a parent toddler group or in an early years setting. They will be happy to assist with the setting up and clearing up required before and after the session and engage with and encourage play between parents and children. Some help may be needed outside the group to prepare crafts and activities for the sessions, to welcome and help anxious parents, or parents that are new to the group make new friends and engage in the activities for their children. Some initial training will be provided, and ongoing support and experience will help those wishing to gain experience for work in nurseries, pre-schools or childcare settings
Walking Volunteers
Some families might not want us in their homes but would be happy to go for a walk and just meet other people and get a little fitter outside. Volunteers will enjoy walking and be happy to lead short walks with one or more family. Initial training and support will be provided.
“Getting to meet new families and knowing that I am helping them through a difficult time in their lives, has been very rewarding. I would recommend volunteering with Home-Start to anyone wishing to help out or give back to their community, gain new skills, or simply find a new and enjoyable avenue to personal fulfilment.”
Trustees
We always need Trustees from all walks of life that are committed to our charity and to help it strive forward in new adventures. If you are looking to give back to the community and can spare around 10 hours a month we’d love to hear from you. Home-Start North Dorset is governed by a group of friendly Trustees who are all unpaid volunteers who come from a range of backgrounds and communities across North Dorset.
Trustees work in partnership with staff and volunteers to support families and to give children the best start in life. Roles and responsibilities are defined, through Home-Start UK training, to make sure Trustees have the necessary qualities, skills and knowledge to govern effectively and responsibly ensuring that legal and financial obligations are met.
We are always keen to hear from people who are interested in supporting our organisation by becoming an Advisor or Trustee. Please contact the office on 01258 473038 or use our contact us page to send us a message.
Support and Friendship for Families
If you can help us, we would love to hear from you, please Contact Us. If you are interested in helping us to fundraise please see the “Friends of HSBV” page.
Application Form
To apply for a volunteering role please click on one of the two buttons below and download an application form. There are two versions. If you have Microsoft Word on your system download that version, if you do not have Word download and print the PDF version. You can send the forms in by email or by post. See the contact us page for contact details.
Volunteering (Enhanced) Application Form
The enhanced version of the volunteering application form is for volunteers who will be engaged in regulated activity for example working with children and parents. If you are not sure which one to use please call: 01258 473038. Please use the enhanced form unless you have been informed otherwise
Volunteering (Basic) Application Form
This is a basic volunteering application form. If you are not sure which one to use please call the office on: 01258 473038
Next: Volunteer FAQs
