Job Description

Volunteering with Home-Start

Home-Start Guildford is an independent charity supporting families with at least one child under the age of 5, living in the Guildford Borough. We are part of Home-Start UK, one of the UK's leading family support charities, benefitting from their policy framework and quality assurance.

We provide support to parents in the Guildford Borough who are struggling to cope with a variety of challenging circumstances.

We recruit volunteers who attend a 6-week preparation course. Our two Coordinators deliver the structured course face-to-face as a way of sharing the Home-Start ethos and getting to know the volunteers who they will later match to the families.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship to international candidates and all prospective volunteers must have the legal right to stay in the United Kingdom, as well as live within local distance of Guildford Borough. This is a voluntary role and therefore non-paid role.

Home Visiting Volunteers

Home-Start volunteers provide informal, friendly emotional support and practical help to families. All our volunteers attend a preparation course before being matched with a family who they will visit once a week, for approximately 2-3 hours.

Being a parent isn't easy and sometimes life gets in the way. Volunteers tailor their support to the needs of the family, and help parents improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. Volunteers work alongside parents to help them cope with the stresses and strains of life and make sure they have the skills, time and strength they need to nurture their children.

Training and support

Volunteers are the heart of Home-Start Guildford. In joining our dedicated and friendly team, you will:

take part in our free preparation training course meet other likeminded people meet regularly with, and be supported by, one of our co-ordinators have access to training activities including specialist speakers be invited to volunteer social events (including a free Christmas Lunch event) receive regular updates and newsletters be able to claim travel expenses when visiting a family
Home-Start Guildford is committed to safer recruitment practise as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults. Any offer of a voluntary role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, two satisfactory references and to have completed our preparation course and signed our Code of Conduct and relevant policies and procedures before they will be able to volunteer with a family or at one of our groups.

Our next volunteers training course starts on Wednesday 15th October 2025. If you're interested in finding out more, please contact our office or you can visit the Home-Start Guildford website.

Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer

Expected hours: 2 - 3 per week

Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person