Our volunteers’ kindness and selfless support enable us to be there for families when they need us the most. Whether visiting families, supporting stay and play groups, serving as trustees, or assisting in our offices, volunteers are truly the heart of Home-Start.
Today, we introduce Dagmar, one of our incredible and dedicated volunteers. We asked Dagmar to share her inspiring story and journey with Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow.
What is your volunteer role?
I volunteer for Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow. This means visiting a mother and her little boy once a week to help them get to know facilities in the community and connect to local services.
Why did you start volunteering with Home-Start?
I have lived in Richmond since 2000 and raised my children here. Last summer I decided to step down from my busy full-time job and do some voluntary work in the local community. A neighbour suggested volunteering for Home-Start. It appealed to me. While I have fond memories of when my children were young, it was also hectic. There were many times I would have welcomed a second pair of hands to help out. I therefore wondered what I could do to support mothers or families with children under 5 years.
What is the best thing about volunteering with Home-Start?
Children have no choice where they are born, and life can be hard for families when you are alone, isolated or when there are additional needs. As a volunteer when you visit regularly once a week, you can lend a hand and an ear for the best of the children. This cannot change the injustices of the world but make a small practical difference.
What keeps you motivated to volunteer?
I was nervous at my first visit but now look forward to our weekly meetings. I love the joy and energy of the little boy when we are taking him to his favourite playground. It is so much easier to venture out together, we can explore the neighbourhood, the little boy can play safely, and we can talk. This is just one example how the visit can be beneficial.
What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering with Home-Start?
Home-Start offers an excellent in-depth training programme for volunteers to prepare them for home visiting. It selects the families carefully to ensure a good match and provides regular supervision. This professional approach to quality and safety was important to me in choosing Home-Start and I whole-heartedly recommend the charity for volunteering.
If you’ve been inspired by Dagmar’s story and want to find out more about volunteering with us, click here: https://homestart-rkh.org.uk/volunteer