Telephone Befrienders Needed

What do Home-Start telephone befrienders do?

Home-Start volunteers aim to build the confidence and independence of a family by:

• Offering support, friendship and practical help.

• Committing to a regular telephone or video link contact with a family

• Protecting and respecting the dignity and identity of each individual

• Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual

• Emphasizing the positive aspects of family life

• Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding developed, providing a regular, reliable presence in that family

• Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to effectively use the support and services available in the community

• Drawing on their own experience of parenting to encourage parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children

What is the time commitment?

In addition to weekly family contact (approx. 1.0-1.5 hours per week)

• Attending 4 short video training sessions

• Attending supervision sessions with the Coordinator

• Attending ongoing training sessions

• A commitment of 1 year to the charity