Home Volunteers Perinatal Peer Support Volunteer Allerdale

Perinatal Peer Support Volunteer Allerdale

Service

Allerdale 0-19 Child and Family Support

Time Commitment

6 months, 3 hours per week
Role Based Details

Allerdale
Who does this role help?

Children, Families, Parents, Babies (0-2yrs), Individuals with mental health issues
I'm interested

Perinatal means the time around a baby’s birth. Perinatal befrienders help new mums and dads who are finding things difficult. You will visit a family once a week. Your time might be spent helping them get to appointments or local parent/baby groups, going for coffee or shopping together, or just sitting at home and listening to mum or dad’s concerns.

Who you will be helping

This service is for families where a parent is struggling with their emotional health and wellbeing, or those who have been diagnosed with low to moderate perinatal depression or anxiety, or whose circumstances put them at risk of developing a perinatal illness.

Mums whose depression goes untreated can develop life-long mental illness. Research shows that maternal depression can have a negative impact on the unborn child, and the safe development of the new baby.

The difference you will make

Perinatal depression can affect parents in many ways. They may feel that they are not capable parents, or struggle to bond with their baby; they might become very worried and anxious; their self-esteem and confidence can suffer; or they could just feel incredibly isolated and lonely. Research also shows that maternal depression can have a negative impact on the unborn child, and the safe development of the new baby.

Having someone to talk to who will listen without judgement and can empathise with the pressures that new parents face, can make a huge difference and help parents feel less alone. Your support will help new parents to feel less isolated and more able to build connections in their community.

You may offer this support through home visits, remote telephone or video call, group work or by signposting and supporting parents to access other local services.

Typical tasks within this role:

Responsibilities: To volunteer for the Perinatal Service, all volunteers must complete a comprehensive training programme. Each training session lasts for between 1 to 3 hours. Once training is complete volunteers are expected to:

  • Attend 1-1 supervision every 6-8 weeks and a wellbeing session once per month
  • Undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)
  • To keep regular contact with the family you are working with as agreed with the Perinatal Coordinator
  • To uphold Family Action values
  • To maintain confidentiality
  • To keep records of phone calls and visits made to your families as directed by the Perinatal Coordinator
  • To ensure you have an understanding of, and comply with Family Action’s procedures for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults
  • To comply with Family Action’s Diversity and Equality Policy and our Ethical Policy in every aspect of your work and positively promote the principles of these policies amongst colleagues, service users, volunteers and other members of the community
  • To comply with Family Action’s Health and Safety Policy, Data Protection Policy and to protect your own and others’ health, safety and welfare.  

Who are we looking for?

There is no typical Family Action volunteer. We want our volunteers to be as diverse as the people we support. We need volunteers with a range of life experiences, skills and knowledge to. In return for giving your time and talents, you will receive quality training, ongoing support, and the reward of knowing that you are making a real difference. This role will particularly suit volunteers who are:

  • Someone who has experienced pregnancy and childbirth, and/or is able to empathise with the needs of families during the perinatal period
  • Non-judgmental and accepting of difference
  • Friendly and reliable
  • Able to demonstrate good listening skills

What’s in it for you?

Family Action volunteers tell us that volunteering with us can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. Many of our volunteers also report that they have enjoyed:

  • Being part of a team and becoming a part of Family Action, a national charity with 150 years of experience supporting families.
  • Support and guidance from project coordinator including 1-1 and group supervision
  • Regular training and development opportunities
  • Opportunity to improve future employment prospects 
  • Develop new skills; increased confidence and self-esteem
  • Opportunity to build a portfolio of your training, skills, experience and qualities
  • Making a difference to the lives of people in your community.

All Family Action volunteers receive full training and access to ongoing supervision and support as long as they are in the role. 

Find out more

You may like to chat with a member of staff about whether this is the right role for you, or you may be ready to apply right now. 

Either way, just click the ‘I’m interested’ button below to leave your contact details, and a member of staff will be in touch to discuss your next steps in becoming a Family Action volunteer.

I'm interested
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Find us

King Street , Aspatria,
Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 3ET 016973 49555 View Service

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