Call to help support families in need

By Amanda Wilkins - 16 May 2025

CharityVolunteeringCommunity

Home-Start North Wiltshire, an independent charity that help families with children under five who are going through difficult times, are looking for volunteers.

Volunteers provide weekly emotional and practical support to help families cope with challenges like isolation, poor health/ illness, low mood, financial worries and children with additional needs.

Home-Start North Wiltshire, help families in Swindon and across Wiltshire and support is tailored to need and often, listening makes all the difference.

A spokesperson for the charity, said: “One couple with a toddler were struggling after moving to the UK away from family and friends. Dad worked long hours and Mum felt isolated, living in a rural location with no transport.

“Mum said to us ‘I had the best volunteer; she was very supportive… Pam would call for me, I was so excited to go out. I was crying a lot, and she helped me. She got me out of a dark hole. One time my son was having a tantrum, and I saw how Pam dealt with it, she helped me look at things differently. Pam was heaven sent to me.”

Home-Start North Wiltshire is looking for volunteers with:

  • A friendly, positive nature.
  • Great listening skills and empathy
  • Parenting skills or relevant life experience.
  • Time to visit families for 2-3 hours each week.

The charity offers full training, ongoing support and travel expenses. Training is delivered in-person (7 weekly three-hour sessions) or online (enabling you to learn at a time to suit you, with the requirement to attend two in-person sessions).

For more information, contact Dawn: 01672 569457

Email: [email protected]  

Visit: www.homestartnorthwiltshire.org.uk

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