Our volunteers offer emotional support, friendship & practical help for families in their own homes
Home-Start offers a unique service. We recruit & train volunteers who are usually parents themselves to visit families with at least one child under 5 & offer them informal, friendly & confidential support in their own homes.
To help give children the best possible start in life, Home-Start Norwich supports parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children & widen their links with the local community.
Why the community needs usHome-Start Norwich gives parents the support they need to get through a difficult period in their lives due to, for example, social isolation, health issues or disability. Our trained volunteers visit weekly, providing confidential family support to enable the family to strengthen parent-child relationships, improve childrens' & parents wellbeing and encourage them to enjoy the fun of family life.
Our impact on the communityFeedback from our families is very positive. Families needs are regularly reviewed. 86% of our families expressed feeling isolated as a particular need, and following volunteer support 100% of families said things were better.
One Mum said...
"2 hours a week just to catch up with myself & have time to breathe. My volunteer listened to me & that has been a great support throughout this difficult year - I don't know what I would have done without her!"
We have lots of families in need of regular support and would welcome enquiries from parents interested in becoming a Home-Start volunteer. We are looking for volunteers who can offer personal experience of parenting, able to offer 2 - 3 hours a week. We are particularly keen to recruit male volunteers and those from ethnic backgrounds. We support volunteers with a comprehensive training programme and regular support in a friendly informal environment. Most volunteers find it very rewarding!
