Volunteering - Supporting families in the community

Thriving Kirklees’ services work with families in a variety of places depending on the needs of the family and the type of support that’s available.

This includes sessions in a number of locations based right in the heart of our communities – including children’s centres, health centres and clinics.

Our volunteers support a number of those community-based sessions and we’ve gathered together those roles here.

After a brief description of the role you’ll see a link to the website of the organisation that offers those opportunities so you can find out more and apply for available roles.

Photo courtesy of Home-Start – Andy Aitchison

Volunteer roles

Breastfeeding Peer Supporters 

Thriving Kirklees aims to offer a variety of breastfeeding support options, including face-to-face support in community venues across Kirklees, and telephone support. 

Breastfeeding peer supporters provide a safe, non-judgmental environment, to listen and talk to mums about all aspects of infant feeding (breast, bottle or mixed) and weaning. 

For more information and to apply – Locala

Kirklees Volunteer Profile – Locala is registered to issue volunteers with a Kirklees Volunteer Profile.  Anyone who volunteers within our Kirklees-based services can be issued with the profile to showcase details about their volunteer role within Locala.  The Kirklees Volunteer Profile can be shared with prospective colleges, universities and/or employers, or simply kept as an official record of the volunteering undertaken.

 

Meeters and Greeters

We have a number of roles available to “meet and greet” parents and children attending workshops, courses or support sessions to offer a friendly face on arrival and help direct people to where their activity is in the building.

“Meeter and Greeters” also help with things like where the toilets and exits are and in some cases offer refreshments or guide people as to where they can get refreshments.

For more information and to apply – volunteer@swyt.nhs.uk

 

 

 

Befrienders & buddying 

Working under the supervision of a Thriving Kirklees colleague at all times, these volunteers provide one to one support, friendship and encouragement to service users experiencing mental health such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, lack of self-confidence, self-esteem or lack of motivation.  

For more information and to apply – volunteer@swyt.nhs.uk

 

Peer Educators 

Peer Educators help out at our group support sessions for young people. We run various groups throughout the week in Dalton, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton. They help set up the room with play activities, prepare lunch and play with the children as well as offer a listening ear with the young mums and provide practical advice and support.  Peer Educators are young people themselves with parenting experience and they support group sessions with young parents aged 14-24 years. 

For more information and to apply – telephone 01484 421925 or e-mail info@homestart-kirklees.org.uk

 

CAMHS Service User Support

This volunteer role supports service users attending CAMHS appointments. You will be:

  • Welcoming clients into the CAMHS waiting area.
  • Assisting clients with completing a demographic check i.e. telephone numbers, address, school etc.
  • Assisting clients with completing friends and family forms.
  • Promoting and helping Children and Young People to the CAMHS Service User Groups.
  • Assisting with Service User and Family participation by promoting, presenting and attending Service User events and groups.

For more information and to apply – volunteer@swyt.nhs.uk