Living with a child’s diagnosis can place considerable strain on the whole family and in recognition of this, the Home Support Volunteer programme was established in 2008 to help families cope with the demands of providing constant care. Home Support Volunteers provide a range of practical and social support to the families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in the community.
Becoming a Home Support Volunteer is a serious commitment but it provides a rewarding opportunity to directly support children with life-limiting/ life threatening conditions and their families.
Noah’s Ark takes their responsibility for safeguarding the wellbeing of children seriously. This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Application. 2 references are also required.
The needs of individual families will differ, but each Home Support role will be agreed in advance between the family, Noah’s Ark, and the volunteer. Depending on the member of the family being supported, a Home Support Volunteer role could involve:
Siblings
- Playing together, sharing hobbies or activities
- Helping with homework or reading
- Going on outings to the local community
Noah’s Ark Children
- Playing together, sharing hobbies
- Doing sensory or developmental play activities
- Helping with homework or reading
Parents/Whole Family
- Supporting them with outings in the community
- Helping with light housework chores such as laundry & ironing
- Driving the family to medical appointments
- Gardening & mowing the lawn
Play and Therapies support
- Structured and guided play activities to Noah’s Ark or their siblings.
- A step-down service from the Play/Therapies team to continue providing children with a safe space to continue developing social, communication or play skills.
- Play/therapies volunteers receive ongoing support from their assigned Play/Therapies team member (Music, Drama or Play).
As well as offering regular support for families, we often receive one-off requests for help in the home: from packing boxes for a house move, to decorating for Christmas, cleaning a home for a child to return from hospital or painting a garden fence. Our Home Support Volunteers sign up to support families on an ad-hoc basis when needed most.
PLEASE NOTE: You will not have responsibility for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and will not be expected to undertake any personal care or administer medication.
Volunteer Information Session: All potential volunteers have to attend one of these sessions before they are able to get involved in any capacity.
Interview: This will take place at the Noah’s Ark Office at a mutually agreeable time.
Core Module (full day): Mandatory for any volunteers wanting to work directly with Noah’s Ark families.
Home Module Training (3 hours): Prepares volunteers for the specific requirements of the Home Support Volunteer role. This training takes place immediately after the Core Module.
Safeguarding Training (3 hours): Essential to ensuring the safety of our service.
Time commitment
Home Support Volunteers are required to complete and return written Support Records following a visit and to attend Supervision (support groups) every 3 months. It is hoped that volunteers can commit to supporting a family for a minimum of 12 months.