Published:
15:00 30 May 2022
A local charity that supports families through some of their most difficult times is looking for more community volunteers.
It comes after Home-Start Cambridgeshire saw an increase in demand for their services over the past six months.
The charity is looking for people who can spare even a few hours a week to help deliver their services, as the support they provide to families today “will last a lifetime”.
Volunteers can be paired up to support a family as a home visitor, take on a leadership role as a charity administrator, or use their skills to help with family groups or fundraisers.
Home-Start Cambridgeshire’s program director, Marney Connor, said: ‘The increase in referrals to Home-Start has made the charity more important than ever when it comes to supporting parents facing difficult issues such as isolation, loneliness, mental health, financial worries, disability and bereavement.
Home-Start Cambridgeshire volunteers can be paired up to support a family as a home visitor, take on a leadership role as a trustee or use their skills to help family groups or fundraisers.
– Credit: Home-Start Cambridgeshire
“We’re looking for people who can dedicate some of their free time and kindness to make a real difference in another person’s life.”
A mum who previously used the Home-Start service described it as “life-changing”.
A volunteer came to her house every week to hold her crying and colicky baby, allowing the mum to shower in peace and sort out the paperwork.
The mum of a Down’s syndrome baby born with two holes in his heart needing surgery says her volunteer has become an ’emotional support lifeline’ she didn’t even realize she needed .
Another mum received help cooking with her children in lockdown and a refugee family gained the confidence to explore their area thanks to their volunteer taking them outside.
Home-Start Cambridgeshire volunteers can be paired up to support a family as a home visitor, take on a leadership role as a trustee or use their skills to help family groups or fundraisers.
– Credit: Home-Start Cambridgeshire
Marney said: “Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heartbreaking and overwhelming.
“Life-changing events can happen to anyone and that’s why we’re here – to support families when they need us most and we need more amazing volunteers to help us do that. .”
As a Home-Start volunteer, individuals will receive training and support to be effective and make a real difference to families in their community.
The charity’s next volunteer preparation course will take place on June 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oasis Center in Wisbech.
For more information email [email protected] or call 01480 700242.
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