Down District Home-Start, which provides support to individuals and families with small children, is making an urgent call for volunteers to join in the training course starting on March 2017.
Senior Organiser Dorothy McMullan said full training will be provided. The next course starts on Friday 3 March from 10am-1pm. This is a very satisfying and rewarding volunteering opportunity for people who want to work with families and sound children who are in need and under pressure. Please contact our office for further information at the contact details below.”
Volunteer Profile
Kate has been volunteering with Home Start Down District for a while and she talks about how she enjoys her volunteering.
She said: “I’ve been matched with my family because the mum’s under a lot of stress at the moment. Her youngest son has autism and it’s the first time a child in her family has special needs. Because of this she’s having a difficult time getting her head around it. But we’re learning together. I’m going with them to their first speech therapist appointment, and generally helping her make sense of all the other appointments they’ve been asked to go to.
“I’m enjoying getting to know the little boy. He’s lovely – really gorgeous – and he’s starting to recognise me a bit more now. Home-Start Down District thought it would be good for me to be matched to this family because I’ve looked after kids with Autism before, but mostly I’m there to support the mum and be someone for her to offload to. I’m not there to judge or give my opinion, I’m there to listen.
“Volunteering has also had a good effect on my family life because my daughter’s really proud of what I’m doing. I visit my Home-Start family once a week for two hours, so it hasn’t had an impact on my personal life or clashed with anything I do as a parent.
“If anything it’s given me more confidence and pride in myself as a single mum.

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Kate added: “Anybody who wants to do voluntary work – anyone with a caring inclination, anyone who gets joy from helping other people – can fit it into their lives quite easily. No-one’s asking you to be Superwoman. What I get out of it the most is to know I’ve put a smile on someone’s face. When I say goodbye to my family and I know the mum feels a bit less stressed, and the little boy smiles at me, it feels amazing.
“Inspired?
www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start
“if you can help a wee family locally.”
Dorothy Mcmillan added: “Please call Home-Start Down District and support a family. We need more volunteers such as Kate…… call on 07590849280 or email:
downpatrick@homestartdd.org for an information pack.
THE NEXT TRAINING COURSE IS STARTING NOW.
Dorothy McMullan
Senior Organiser
Home-Start Down District
Offices 14-15
Innovation House
Down Business Park
46 Belfast Road
Downpatrick
BT30 9UP
TEL 02844615727.
