There are many ways in which individuals and groups can support Home-Start Havant.

Become a volunteer

Contact Us to find out about visiting and supporting a family who has been referred to Home-Start Havant.

Join the Management Committee and become a trustee

We are always seeking individuals with a passion for our work, please Contact Us to find out more.

Donate

Make a Monthly Donation to financially support our work.

Help in Other Ways

During the year we like to organise outings and parties for Home-Start families – special days that memories are made of. We sometimes provide food hampers for families in times of financial hardship, and at Christmas we like to give good quality toys to the children and a small gift for their parents.

All this costs money, and is possible due to the fund raising efforts of our volunteers. Would you or someone you know like to help us raise money for these little extras that make a difference to the families we support – perhaps you could hold a fundraising event at work or with friends?

If you would like more information about Home-Start Havant please Contact Us – we would be happy to come and give a presentation or just have an informal chat about our work.

Home-Start Havant volunteers come from all walks of life – from young mothers who help other young mums and parents whose children have just started school, to grandparents who have a few hours to spare each week. All volunteers are carefully selected and undergo an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check; references are also taken up.

Do I need any qualifications or experience?

The only “real” qualification is that you have to be a parent or have parenting experience – perhaps as a step-parent or carer. We like to think that above all else, our volunteers are the kind of people our families would choose themselves as a friend. So, friendliness and a caring attitude are essential as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting.

What will I do?

Our volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week for 2 hours to offer friendship, support and practical help. A co-ordinator will introduce you to a family who has asked for support and, after the initial visit, you will arrange a suitable day and time to visit the family each week. Volunteers do whatever a “good friend” would do – this could be having a coffee and chat whilst playing or helping with the children; a trip to the shops, park, library or swimming; accompanying the family to appointments – anything that would relieve stress and help parents enjoy family life.

Is there any training or support?

Yes – all volunteers undergo a 40 hour Course of Preparation that covers everything you need to know about visiting families the Home-Start way. Once you have completed the Course, you will receive regular support and supervision from the co-ordinators and have access to our In-Service Training Programme. The co-ordinator will also undertake regular reviews with you and your family to monitor the needs of the family.

What should I do now?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please Contact Us to find out more.