Volunteer for Home-Start

When I made the change to work part-time, I realised I now had time to volunteer. It was always an intention of mine to be able to share the skills I had acquired as a mum and through my work, to help others. I get huge satisfaction seeing families who are going through difficult times slowly emerge from a dark tunnel into a lighter place.

Why did you choose to start volunteering?

After facing my own challenges as a parent, I was incredibly fortunate to receive support from another dad. This experience opened my eyes to a significant gap: there isn’t nearly enough support available specifically for fathers.

Family dynamics have evolved dramatically over the years, with men now playing a much more active role in childcare and running the household, sometimes even without a partner. Dads are crucial to family wellbeing, yet we’re often not good at reaching out or talking about our struggles and emotions. My hope is to offer the same vital support I received, creating a positive impact for dads, children, and families across the board.

What is the most rewarding part of your volunteering role?

Making a difference, one visit at a time. It’s truly rewarding to know you’re making a tangible difference with every visit. Sometimes, it’s as simple as lending an ear over a cuppa, helping with everyday tasks like folding laundry or doing the washing up, or just pushing a child on the swings at the local park. For some families, your visit might be the only adult company they’ve had in days. These small acts of presence and kindness can mean the world.

If you could describe your volunteering experience in three words, what three would they be?

Purpose, helpfulness and accomplishment.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about becoming a Home-Start volunteer?

Volunteering with Home-Start has genuinely pushed me out of my comfort zone. It’s helped me confront and improve my own anxiety and self-esteem. Both have significantly benefited since I became a Home-Start volunteer. We, as humans, inherently feel better when we help others. Sacrificing some of my time for Home-Start has brought immense personal benefit, while simultaneously supporting other families.

In turn, if you choose to volunteer with Home-Start, it could make a profound difference for you, just as it has for me, and for even more families in our community.

Why did you choose to start volunteering?

I wanted to give something back to society, now I am older and have a job that is flexible with times. I wanted to be able to help someone even in just a small way, to help make their life a little easier.

What is the most rewarding part of your volunteering role?

Seeing the children’s development each week and the absolute appreciation for my time with the family. I look forward to my time with them each week and seeing how much a difference the two hours make.

If you could describe your volunteering experience in three words, what three would they be? 

Rewarding, inspirational, enriching.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about becoming a Home-Start volunteer?

If you can give some of your time and support to a family each week, don’t hesitate to contact Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire. The training is rewarding, you feel fully prepared and supported in your journey from the team, especially your Family Co-ordinator.

Do you have a memorable experience from your volunteering journey so far?

Here’s a couple of lovely messages from the Mum I received, this makes it all so worth while:

“Thank you so much for Thursday, you don’t know how much of a difference it makes to my coping abilities when you’ve been to help with the girls.”

“I got the job! And they agreed to 3 days instead of the full-time they advertised, so it’s just perfect. Thank you so, so, so much for supporting with the girls, you don’t know how grateful I am to have had you take the pressure off. It’s so hard to find people to trust to leave the girls with and I’m so grateful that Home-Start put us with you x”

“Thank you so much for today. M had a little tantrum after you left and I had to walk her around the house to show you weren’t in the other room. They really enjoy their time with you. I hope you made it home before the downpour x”