Home Start West Dorset is a charity working with families with a child under five, who are in need of practical help and emotional support.
Helen Horsley, Manager of Home-Start West Dorset said “This year we are celebrating 10 years of helping local families, without volunteers we could not offer the service we do and make a real difference to the families we support. We know our volunteers enjoy and get a lot from the role and many stay with us for a number of years”
In September they will be starting a new volunteer training course and would love to hear from anyone with parenting experience who would like to join the team.
Jacqueline, a recently trained volunteer said;
“I have been a Home-Start volunteer for a year. I saw an advertisement in a local paper and went ahead and applied. I didn’t realise at that point how rewarding I would find the process and the great friends I have made along the journey. I felt Home-Start West Dorset looked an interesting and unique project that could benefit many people in West Dorset. The training was always fun and informative and great preparation for supporting families. I support a family by being a listening ear, signposting and being practical help. This could mean accompanying a family to a hospital appointment, playing with children, passing on your skills to a family or gathering further support to address needs of the family. Home-Start West Dorset has been essential to gaining valuable advice and information to support my families. The journey has twists and turns along the way, but you are never alone. People with a wealth of experience are never too far away to listen to concerns and offer help and support ”
Home Start works locally in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland. The training course lasts 10 weeks and you need to have 2-3 hours a week available to support a local family. For more information call 01305 265072 or look at www.homestartwestdorset.com
