Who is Volunteering Matters?
We are a national charity leading UK volunteering in policy and practice. We run a project in Southend on sea to support local families.
In addition we manage a service delivering activities online, by telephone and post to support older people reduce isolation and increase social interaction.
Who benefits from the programme?
Families whose children are at risk and older people who may feel isolated and alone . Social care teams also benefit from the results of the programme.
How does it work?
Once matched, the volunteer will visit the family at least once a week, building up a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect. As a positive role model they listen and offer practical help.
Volunteers visit at a time that suits the family and will commit to working with families for t least six months.
The project delivers positive outcomes for families, enabling parents to improve their parenting skills, engage with universal services, access health checks and improve their children’s school attendance.
Older people are also supported by the team.ÿWe are offering the service UK wide as its non-geographical and free to participants as our services are delivered by volunteers and costs met by our funding.
We are currently delivering a tablet loan scheme to help people who would like to be digitally connected, and IT support volunteers to help get people started (over the phone).
The families we support?
We support many families all with different needs i.e. young parents, families where there is little extended family or community support, housing concerns or financial issues.
What do our volunteers require before they are matched?
- Complete an application form and attend an interview
- Provide at least 2 references
- Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check and local authority check
- Complete the Volunteers Supporting Families comprehensive free training and induction process
