Family Support Volunteer
Joining this role means you'll be at the heart of providing essential support to families facing the unimaginable; caring for their child who's life will be short.
Many families in Wales are unfortunately facing this challenge alone, without support from others.
As a Family Support Volunteer with Tŷ Hafan, you’ll help ease the everyday pressures families face by offering help in the home. This might include light cleaning, tidying, laundry, garden maintenance or supporting the siblings, whatever matches your skills and the family’s needs.
Your support will give families the breathing space to focus on what matters most: spending time together.
Considerations:
Age requirement: 21+
Location: Across South & West Wales (in your local area)
Time commitment: Flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate your personal schedule. The support plans designed for referred families are typically structured to span a period of six weeks.
Background checks: Enhanced DBS check, 2 references and induction/training course required before starting.
Due to the nature of the role, we are looking for volunteers with some skills, experience and knowledge of gardening, either as a profession or as a hobby.
Activities include:
• Practical support activities such as supporting with housework, decluttering spaces or gardening
• Child focused activities such as reading, play and providing fun
• Wellbeing & therapeutic support (if qualified) such as complimentary therapies and mindfulness
• Family support & companionship activities such as offering emotional support and conversation, accompanying families to appointments, etc.
These activities can be matched to each volunteer’s skills, experience, and comfort level, and always tailored to the family’s preferences and needs.
We are looking for volunteers who:
• Can empathise with the families you are helping and show them kindness and respect;
• Are reliable and flexible and committed to volunteering on a longer term basis;
• Will follow our health and safety guidelines, policies and procedures and report any issues or concerns to the Family Support Volunteer Manager;
• Are respectful of the privacy, preferences and needs of the families you are supporting;
• Are polite and friendly;
• Can adapt to different situations and challenges;
• Enjoy making a difference in the lives of others
At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working together, demonstrating compassion, providing excellent service and taking ownership.
We expect all colleagues and volunteers to behave with high levels of integrity and to represent our values as a core part of their role.
Training you will receive:
You will receive a comprehensive introduction to Tŷ Hafan and your role, to include an in-person Induction and Training Programme as well as additional e-learning.
You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team who will assist you with any queries or concerns through regular and ongoing meetings.
Other role and organisation specific training is available including both supplementary and mandatory training.
All volunteers must maintain their mandatory training to continue in their role.
The benefits of becoming a Practical Family Support Volunteer in Family Homes:
• Make a positive difference in the lives of children with life-shortening conditions and their families, by helping them to maintain clean spaces for them to enjoy;
• Attend Volunteer Celebration Events throughout the year;
• Meet new people and join a friendly community of volunteers, passionate about helping others;
• Expenses will be provided following discussion about the role.
Ready to apply?
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This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.