Together we hope for a society where no family feels alone and every child has a home where they can flourish
Family Friend
Contact person
Scan me or visit www.sparkachange.org.uk/o/Safe-Families/opportunities/Family-Friend/105630 to join
Summary
Family Friend volunteers offer emotional and practical support to local families who may be feeling isolated and overwhelmedDetailed description
What volunteering involves
We partner with local authorities to identify families who are isolated or struggling. Our Family Friend volunteers are matched with a family, supporting them for 6–9 months. This support might look like:
o A listening ear over a cup of tea
o Going for a walk together
o Helping with organisation at home
o Connecting them to toddler groups or local community activities
Volunteers bring families out of isolation and into community - helping to build confidence and improve emotional wellbeing so parents and children can flourish
Who you'll support
Each family is different, and our volunteers could support parents, grandparents, teenagers or young children. We will ask you if you have a preference when you apply.
What we're looking for
- A heart for family and a desire to see families thrive
- Someone who can offer around an hour a week to meet with a family
- Empathy and good communication skills
- Able to keep notes on our online database
Training and support
All of our volunteers undergo training to enable them to support families well - including safeguarding training. We provide ongoing support to our volunteers while they are matched with a family, through our Engagement and Family Support teams.