Charity volunteer appeal

A charity which supports families through some of their toughest times has launched a campaign to recruit more volunteers after seeing a rise in demand during the pandemic.

Home-Start Perth and Kinross is looking for people who can spare a couple of hours a week to help deliver their services to families.

The charity is among a network of more than 180 Home-Starts across the UK, whose staff and trained volunteers offer parents compassionate, non-judgemental support.

As part of the home visiting service, volunteers complete an in-depth training programme after which they are matched to a family who they visit once a week.

Jill Scobbie, lead co-ordinator, said: “Home Start has seen referrals rise during the pandemic making the charity more important than ever to support parents with many issues including isolation, loneliness, mental health, financial worries, disabilities and bereavement.

“We are looking for people who can pass forward some of their spare time and kindness to make a real difference to another person’s life. If you have the time, we have the role. Be a volunteer for HomeStart and make an impact on a child that will last a lifetime.”

The charity has not only seen an increased demand, but also, many volunteers who have worked with the charity for a long time stopped volunteering during the pandemic. New volunteers are required to respond to the need.

Jill added: “Volunteering is a wonderfully rewarding opportunity to give your time knowing it is making a big difference to a family in our community.

“It is such a simple concept but a really powerful one. Our volunteers are all ages, male and female, with many different backgrounds and experiences.

“Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and over-whelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why we are here to stand alongside families when they need us most – and we need more amazing volunteers to help us do that.”

The charity has said that, as a Home-Start volunteer, people will be given training and support to “be effective and make a real difference to families in your community”, in addition to developing transferable skills.

To find out more, visit www. home-start.org.uk or call 01738 638847.