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Volunteers Home-Start is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families with young children, in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown. Home-Start is available for any family with at least one child under 5 years of age.
A group of new volunteers meet together on a short course of preparation before being linked to a family. Volunteers' specific needs are met by ongoing training days, regular support meetings and the assistance of the Scheme's co-ordinator at all times.
The role of the volunteer is complementary to the professional's and offers an informal and flexible approach to the family's needs. Some families will only need to be visited for a short time whilst others may need the support for much longer, although the aim of the scheme is to enable them to achieve independence. All volunteers' expenses are met by Home-Start.
If you would like more information about Home-Start's services to families or about becoming a volunteer, please contact your local scheme: Home-Start Blanchardstown, 10 Blakestown Cottages, Blakestown Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 Ph.8205444/8205203/Fax 8205494 |
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Volunteers all have parenting experience and understand the stresses and strains involved in bringing up a young family. They are understanding, caring and reliable and make a commitment to visiting one or two families in their own homes on a regular basis.
Families may be referred to Home-Start with their consent. The main referrers are Public Health Nurses and Social Workers but self-referrals and referrals from any other source are welcomed and are dealt with in strictest confidence.