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Home-Start Butser recruits volunteers for family support service

Thursday 2nd of April 2009

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Petersfield-based charity Home-Start Butser is calling for people with parenting experience to help out young families.

The charity works to team up volunteers with families under stress who would benefit from help and support.

Nicola Winter, Senior Organiser at Home-Start Butser, said: "Volunteers, who know about being a parent, support other parents. It's a simple idea that really works. They offer support to families, with at least one child under five, who are experiencing loneliness, isolation or feeling they can't cope with the pressures of daily life. A weekly visit from a volunteer for a couple of hours can make all the difference.

"You don't have to be a super nanny to help parents with young children. If you've got through the early days, why not volunteer your experience to help someone else?

"Real people with real parenting experience can make a real difference to families struggling to cope."

Since 1998 we have supported on average more than 50 local families and 100 children each year in the East Hampshire area, including Horndean, Rowlands Castle and Clanfield.

Volunteers come from all walks of life - from teenage mothers who help other young mums and parents whose children have just started school, to ‘empty nesters' and grandparents.

The only requirement is that they have to have parenting experience and, before they are matched with a family, complete a training programme.

Home-Start Butser is now recruiting more volunteers for a new Preparation Course on 27 April for ten weekly sessions.

If you live in Horndean, Clanfield, Rowlands Castle or Petersfield area and are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Nicola or Trish on 01730 233 755 or email office@homestart-butser.org.uk