Home-Start Cymru looks to recruit 150 local volunteers in Welsh Communities.
A Welsh charity that supports families through some of their most challenging times has launched a campaign to recruit volunteers to join their team after seeing a rise in families needing help and support.
Whether that is being matched to support a local family as a home-visitor or telephone befriender, taking on a leadership role as a charity trustee, or with skills to help with family groups or fundraising.
Jayne Drummond, CEO of Home-Start Cymru, said:
“Home-Start Cymru has seen referrals rise due to several factors including the Cost-of-Living Crisis and the repercussions of life post pandemic. The charity is more important than ever in supporting parents with many issues including isolation, loneliness, mental health, financial worries, disabilities, and bereavement.
We are looking for individuals who can share some of their spare time and kindness to make a real difference to another person’s life. If you have the time, we have the role. Be a volunteer for Home-Start Cymru and make an impact on a child and their family, that will last a lifetime.”
Home-Start Cymru needs to recruit 150 volunteers to help respond to families in need. The charity has not only seen an increased demand, but many volunteers who have worked with the charity for a long time have now left due to health concerns, post pandemic.
Home-Start Cymru works within approx.18 local authorities in Wales. All staff and trained volunteers offer parents compassionate, non-judgemental support. As part of the home-visiting service, volunteers complete an in-depth training programme after which they are matched to a family who they visit once a week.
One mum described it as “life-changing” when her volunteer came every week to hold her colicky and tearful baby, enabling her to shower and sort through paperwork.
A disabled mum was given support to bake with her children – something she would have otherwise struggled to do, and a refugee family was given the confidence to explore their local area, thanks to their volunteer taking them out.
A mum of a baby with Downs Syndrome said her volunteer became a lifeline of emotional support that she had not even realised she needed.
Jayne Drummond said:
“Volunteering is a wonderfully rewarding opportunity to give your time knowing it is making a significant difference to a family in our community.
It is such a simple concept but a mighty one. Our volunteers are of all ages, male and female, with many diverse backgrounds and experiences. Not all of them are parents.
Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart-breaking, and overwhelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why we are here to stand alongside families when they need us most – and we need more amazing volunteers to help us do that.”
If you can spare as little as 2 hours a week, you could help parents not just survive but thrive. As a Home-Start Cymru volunteer, you will be given training and support to be effective and make a real difference to families in your community. You will also develop transferable skills which can support you in your life, whether that is at home or at work.
Lynne Powell, National Volunteer Recruitment and Development Manager for Home-Start Cymru said:
“Our roots in communities mean we are well placed to stand alongside families facing challenges in their lives. We are extremely proud of the achievements of Home-Start Cymru and the incredible work the (expert) highly skilled and knowledgeable staff and volunteers undertake locally. We look forward to welcoming more volunteers on board to help us continue our vital work.”
To register to become a Home-Start Cymru volunteer or find out more here about volunteering opportunities by visiting https://homestartcymru.org.uk/volunteer
