Home-Start Bradford District is a voluntary organisation where volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. Volunteers, who are parents or have parenting experience understand that sometimes family life can be tough and that is why their support can be so valuable in helping another family. Volunteers are central to our service and we could not offer families the same support without them. Our volunteers give a high level of commitment and reliability, we support them with high quality preparation and ongoing training, supervision and support from a Family & Volunteer Coordinator. Home-Start Bradford District volunteers aim to build the confidence and independence of the family by: • Offering support, friendship and practical help • Committing to a minimum of 2-3 hours per week home-visiting, plus travel and admin time (total 3-4 hours per week), according to the family’s needs • Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected • Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual • Emphasising the positive aspects of family life • Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding developed, providing a regular, reliable presence in that family • Drawing on their own experience of parenting to encourage parents’ strengths and emotional wellbeing for the ultimate benefit of their own children • Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community.