Family Peer Supporter
Hosted by: Family Lives

Do you have experience of being a parent or providing support in a caring role?
Do you enjoy listening, talking and sharing your skills to benefit other people?
Would you like to make a difference to families in your local community?
Can you spare 3 hours per week over the next year?

If yes, then our support service for pregnant mums, parents to be and new parents needs you!
We really want to hear from you!
Family Lives is a national registered charity with over forty years’ experience of providing parenting and family support to families. We set up this project in the Central Area of Barnsley to support new mums in April 2022, wesecured further funding to enable us to deliver the support borough wide across Barnsley.
Being a new parent can be great but at times it can be tough. We are looking for Peer Supporters who can support new mums adjusting to pregnancy and/or the arrival of a new baby, who may be struggling to find time for themselves, get out and about or meet up with friends. Our peer supporters will visit new parents and families at home or in community settings. They will provide a listening ear, help parents to attend appointments, access community facilities, form supportive peer networks and signpost to other appropriate services. By building supportive one to one relationships they will help parents through emotional and practical ups and downs to build their confidence and skills, achieve goals and move forward positively.

Days required: Mon AM, Mon PM, Mon EVE, Tues AM, Tues PM, Tues EVE, Weds AM, Weds PM, Weds EVE, Thur AM, Thur PM, Thur EVE, Fri AM, Fri PM, Fri EVE

How many volunteers are needed:

25

Recruitment process:

Potential volunteers are being advised to contact Lesley Brewin, Senior Family Support Coordinator for an informal chat over the telephone as an opportunity to ask questions and explore the role further. She can be reached on 07971253162.

All details such as name, address and contact details will be recorded including if an application form is requested. Lesley will contact volunteers within one day of them making contact.
An application form can be sent via e-mail or sent to the home address upon request and once completed and returned, if suitable, the volunteer will be invited to meet with Lesley for a more structured conversation (interview – but not too formal) where they will be asked about their motivation, experience and interests.
A DBS is required for the role as are two references from unrelated people.
Formal qualifications are not required.
The volunteer will receive a response within a few days of the interview, where they have been successful a provisional response only can be given and confirmation of success only once references and DBS have been received.
Family Lives process the DBS online

Skills and quaifications:

Being a Peer Supporter can be a rewarding experience and by offering positive support you can make all the difference to families.
By Volunteering you can …
Achieve a sense of fulfilment and enjoyment
Gain new skills to enhance employment opportunities.
Experience face to face work with families
Continue your own personal development with skills training and one to one support
Meet new people
Work flexible hours
Claim out of pocket expenses
Be part of a passionate team and have some fun along the way
Did you know people who volunteer are more likely to experience better health and well-being?
Specific qualifications are not necessary for this role but you will need to be understanding and resilient.

If you are pursuing a professional career in counselling or social work, this opportunity may particularly interest you as it offers hands on experience of working with families.

Gender restrictions?: No
Gender restrictions- details:

The service is to support women during pregnancy and/or following birth for a period of time during the babies first year of life. The new mums may be experiencing low emotional well-being and isolation. The volunteers will be working towards helping mums to develop their emotional resilience, confidence and peer support networks. We are happy to recruit from all genders but during the matching process it will be the mums choice as to whether she wishes to have a female or male volunteer.

Type of activity: Advice work, Befriending and buddying, Community Work, Local events