Volunteer for the Friends of HSG Group - posted June 2024

 
We’re excited to be launching the 'Friends of Home-Start Guildford Group' and are looking for volunteers.
 
Initially the aim of the group will be:
  • Research opportunities and appropriate events where HSG can promote their services / recruit volunteers
  • Organise a HSG stall and the volunteers to support this
  • Plan, organise and run fundraising events eg coffee mornings, craft events
  • Support others who are fundraising for us
  • Build networks with local businesses to raise our profile and encourage them to support our work
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to support Home-Start Guildford but doesn’t feel that the home visiting role is right for them.
 
What we can offer you:
  • A chance to learn new skills
  • A chance to gain experience in event management
  • The opportunity to make new friends and build social networks
  • The opportunity to contribute to vital work supporting families with young children
Next Steps:
We will be shortly planning an initial meeting to get the group up and running, and if you register your interest, we will be in touch soon to confirm next steps.
 
If you would like to find out more, to make an enquiry, please fill in an application and someone will be in touch with you. 
 

Mission Statement

"There for parents when they need us most, because childhood can't wait"

Parents Supporting Other Parents - a simple idea that really works!

Home-Start Guildford has been supporting local families across the Guildford Borough for over 25 years. 

We're a non-judgemental organisations that helps local parents who are struggling, for any reason. Some of those reasons may include; multiple births, mental health, an abusive partner, isolation, mental or physical handicap, or the pressure that loss of employment brings to a family.

 

What we do

Our charity provides a preventative service that aims to support families who are struggling by offering regular volunteer support to parents with at least one child under the age of 5, usually referred to us by Health Visitors.

We provide one-to-one support for parents:
Our volunteers visit the family’s home for a couple of hours every week.  They tailor-make their support to the needs of the parents and children. Volunteers are very committed and will keep visiting until the youngest child turns five or starts school, or until the parents feel they can stand on their own two feet.  Parents and volunteers often develop a deeply trusting relationship which can lead to powerful change within the family.

We also run two family groups for referred families, one in the Pirbright Community Centre and the other in the Guildford Family Group, Hazel Avenue.

 

Our values

  • We offer families choice
  • We work in partnership - with each other, with families and with other agencies
  • We work in a spirit of openness, encouragement and enjoyment
  • We are flexible and responsive to the needs of families

 

Volunteering Opportunities 

There are several ways that you can help in a voluntary capacity:

  • by supporting a family as a Home-Visiting Volunteer
  • by helping at one of our Family Groups
  • by joining the Trustee Board
  • by becoming a Friend of Home-Start Guildford
  • by supporting us as a Digital / Office Volunteer

Please see the volunteer roles listed for more detail.