Home-Start Merton
VOLUNTEER
INFORMATION PACK
Phone: 020 8646 6044
Email: [email protected]
www.homestartmerton.co.uk
Vol. Info. Pack
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Mission Statement
Home-Start Merton exists to enable families
experiencing stress or difficulties to meet the
needs of their children 0-11
What is Home-Start?
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer
regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under
stress in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and
breakdown, and emphasising the pleasures of family life. Parents are
supported to develop their confidence and parenting skills to care for
and nurture their children. Home-Start offers a unique service which
helps towards giving children the best possible start in life. HomeStart supports families with where there is a child 0-11.
 Home-Start Merton opened its doors in June 1993
 In 1996 we were chosen as Greater London Regional Winners of the
Whitbread and Government Make a Difference Volunteering
Award.
 We completed our Home Start National Quality Assurance System in
2012.
 We celebrated our 20th Anniversary in June 2013
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Why does Home-Start Merton use
Volunteers?
Home–Start Merton is a voluntary organisation and
the
voluntary
organisation.
ethos
permeates
the
whole
Volunteers choose to support Home-
Start and families choose to accept Home-Start
support. This means that the relationship between a
Home-Start volunteer and family is established by
choice and is not influenced by power or money.
The voluntary nature of the relationship between
volunteers and family is crucial.
Volunteers are
essential to Home-Start offering a flexible and
realistic response and a caring attitude.
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Volunteer Roles
Due of the nature of our work we rely heavily on volunteers to enable
us to achieve our aims.
The majority of our volunteers are engaged in weekly home-visiting for
approximately 2 – 4 hours per week. Volunteers come from a wide
range of backgrounds and cultures. They are usually parents or
grandparents themselves or have parenting experience. However, for
those who feel unable to make this commitment, or do not have
parenting experience or maybe feel that their skills lie elsewhere, there
are other volunteering opportunities that can be considered. (Please
see pages 5 and 6)
Funding
Our funding comes from a combination of sources which include: London Borough of Merton
 Charitable Trusts
 Local fund raising events
Expenses
Volunteers are not paid for volunteering. However, travel expenses
are reimbursed when visiting families and also whilst attending the
Preparation Course.
The staff and management at Home-Start Merton
respect people’s culture, race,
disability, age, religion and sexuality.
We expect that all volunteers will do the same
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VOLUNTEER ROLES
WITHIN HOME-START MERTON
Home-Start Merton welcomes volunteers in a number of different roles.
All volunteers should be friendly, non-judgemental, understand the
principles of confidentiality and be able to communicate well with a
variety of people.
Home visiting
Home-visiting volunteers give their time, support, friendship and
practical assistance, usually once a week for a minimum of 2 - 4 hours
following successful completion of a free Course of Preparation (see
Task Description). The Course of Preparation takes place during the
day within school hours, term time only; this will be for two days over
a period of 6 weeks (9.30 – 2.30). If you have childcare issues that
may hinder you from attending the preparation course we can discuss
this at interview. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Office Volunteers
Volunteers who are interested in helping out in the office (particularly
at busy times) are invaluable. Tasks could include:
Photocopying and collating papers
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Typing letters
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Filing
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Telephone work
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Sorting donated items
Tinytots for Twins and Triplets (under 5’s only)
group
We currently run a multi birth group every Wednesday morning
10.30am to 12.30pm term time only, this is based at Christchurch
Church Hall Colliers Wood. If you are interested in volunteering with
this group you will need to be able to get on with both adults and
children, demonstrate good parenting skills and encourage interaction
between parents and their children through good example. Some
induction training will be required for this role and a Disclosure &
Barring Service Check carried out.
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Ad-Hoc Volunteer
There are occasions when we require volunteers to carry out one off
volunteering roles; this may include taking a family to their
hospital/doctor appointments or supporting them at an official
appointment. If driving with the family is required you must have a
clean driving licence, up to date MOT and insurance. You could also
help out at events such as the Christmas Party, Mitcham Carnival,
Summer Family Day Out or Alexandra Rose Day. Some induction
training will be required for this role and where required a Criminal
Record Bureau check carried out.
Fund Raising
We need enthusiastic, outgoing volunteers who have ideas about fund
raising methods and events they would like to share with us to help
with this aspect of our work. You are welcome to join our fundraising
sub-group which meets two or three times a year.
Trustee Board Members
The Trustee Board is responsible for funding, insurance, premises and
the employment of staff. If you have expertise in any of these areas or
are interested in supporting the work of Home-Start Merton in the
community, becoming a Trustee is another way to volunteer with
Home-Start Merton.
The Board represents a wide cross section of the community, with a
number of different backgrounds and skills; at the heart of all our
trustees the value of the family is paramount. The board meets once
every six weeks, so if you have time to spare we would welcome your
input.
Home-Start Merton acknowledges that it may not be able to offer you
the volunteering opportunity you are looking for. In this case we will
endeavour to assist you to explore alternative volunteer opportunities
with other voluntary organisations in the borough and suggest that
you contact the Merton Volunteer Centre to discuss this further.
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INDUCTION OR TRAINING
It is important that all those who carry out volunteer roles within
Home-Start receive an appropriate induction into the organisation.
How this is carried out will be dependent on the specific volunteer role
and will be discussed fully with the individual.
Home - visiting volunteers
 Initially, an interview with the Co-ordinator in the volunteers’ home
 Completion of an Application Form including details of two referees
 Completion of a Disclosure & Barring Service form (formerly known
as CRB)
 If accepted, at this point volunteers will be offered a place on our
next Course of Preparation – one and a half days a week for six
weeks
 On successful completion of the Course of Preparation volunteers
have a final individual assessment before being matched with a
family
All other volunteers
 Initially, an interview with the Co-ordinator in the volunteer’s home
 Completion of an Application Form including details of two referees
 Where required the completion of a DBS check
 If accepted, at this point volunteers will be offered the appropriate
training that will be required for your role.
 On successful completion of the training volunteers have a final
individual assessment to discuss the next steps.
Support and Supervision
All volunteers receive regular support and supervision from the
Co-ordinator.
Support and Supervision takes place in many ways:
 One-to-one
 Telephone support
 Volunteer Support Group Meetings
 Social events
ALL VOLUNTEER ROLES ARE SUBJECT TO A
3-MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD
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Home-Start Merton
The Role of the Home-Visiting Volunteer
To provide support, friendship and practical help to families who
are under stress and experiencing difficulties, with at least one child 011 in the family.
Many families feel overwhelmed or exhausted by the stresses and
difficulties of everyday life. Too often they have no close family
members or friends who can give them encouragement and support.
Lack of support at a crucial stage may increase the risk of family
breakdown.
TASK DESCRIPTION
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To visit families in their own homes on a weekly basis, where the
families dignity and identity can be respected
To enhance parenting skills. Encourage the parents own strength
and emotional well being, leading to renewed interest in the
children and an improved response to their needs
To encourage the family to overcome isolation by introducing them
to local resources and other social networks
To listen and provide emotional support
Reassure parents that difficulties in bringing up children are not
unusual and to emphasis the pleasure of family life
To provide a safe, non-threatening environment for people to
express their fears and frustrations
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PERSONAL QUALITIES NEEDED

Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively.

Good listening skills.
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Non-judgemental and caring approach to others.
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Parenting skills.
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The ability to empathise with others.

Flexibility in responding to a variety of family situations and
the ability to get on well with both adults and children.

Be willing to attend further training and bi-monthly Volunteer
Support Group Meetings.
BENEFITS TO THE VOLUNTEER

A chance to contribute to the community in which you live

Excellent training

Enhanced job prospects

Personal Development

Volunteers have the opportunity to develop their experience in
working with children and families
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY

Helps build stronger communities.

Excellent resource for local families

Safe and confidential environment for parents and children
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PREPARATION COURSE
The free volunteer preparation course runs for one and a half days a
week over a period of 6 weeks during the spring, summer and autumn
terms.
The course is delivered during term times between 9.30am to 2.30pm
on the day one and 9.30am to 1pm on the second day. A commitment
to all sessions is essential. Each prospective volunteer is supplied
with a volunteer resource file to work through each week. Throughout
the course there is an element of fun and best of all no final exams!
The delivery of the course including the use of the volunteer resource
file reflects best practice.
Here is an example of what we cover during the six week course
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Introduction to Home-Start Merton
Volunteering for Home Start
Role of the volunteer
How Home-Start supports families
Home visiting and other roles
Health and Safety
Sources of support in the community
Confidentiality
Commitment and Boundaries
Listening Skills
Safeguarding Children and Child Protection
Values and Attitudes
Parents and their children
Enjoy and Achieve
Support and Supervision
Family Life and Supporting Parents
Course end and next steps
We feel very strongly that if you are considering
volunteering for Home-Start Merton you understand we
expect a commitment to attending all sessions of the
training course and once trained will give at least one
year commitment to volunteering for us.
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Next Step……
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Telephone us on 020 8646 6044 to discuss further where your
interests lie and discuss the next steps
E-mail us on [email protected]
Website address homestartmerton.org.uk
Please note:
Our next Course of Preparation for our home-visiting
volunteers begins
……………………………………………..
It is important that we allow sufficient time for the
recruitment process
to take place fully before we are able to offer a place on the
course.
Home-Start
Office
The Home-Start offices are to be found by the traffic lights on the “S” bend between
Christchurch and Western Road, behind the petrol garage.
Please note that we have no parking facilities, however the Tandem Centre, which
has a large car park, is only a few minutes walk from our premises.
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Mission Statement
Home-Start Merton exists to
enable families experiencing
stress or difficulties to meet
the needs of their children
0-11
HOME-START MERTON
227 Western Road,
Merton Abbey
London
SW19 2QD
Phone:020 8646 6044
Email: [email protected]
www.homestartmerton.co.uk
Registered No: 5359862
Charity No: 1108937
Patron: Trudie Goodwin
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