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Job description

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. **Family Support volunteers** work across a range of groups, from Parenting Groups, the Freedom Programme and Mental Health Support Groups to Family and Learning and Adult Education courses. **Newport Connect Mentora** will promote a continuum of support for children and families across Newport by providing the opportunity for the development of a bank of volunteer peer mentors across the communities of Newport. These volunteer mentors, led by Volunteer Co-ordinators, and embedded across Newport support services, will ensure that families are able to have continued connection and support with services after their targeted support has come to an end, yet where there is an identified benefit to continue that connection. We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in people’s lives, a fun and approachable attitude and an ability to engage parents and carers in worthwhile and enjoyable activities, supporting them to achieve their goals.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.

• Tasks: Setting up group activities in advance and clearing away afterwards. This might include preparing refreshments/snacks, organising the layout of the room, preparing resources and tidying the room after the group.
  
  Sharing knowledge and experience about parenting and offering positive solutions to difficult circumstances.
  
  Establishing trusting relationships with parents facing difficulties managing their roles/lives.
  
  Providing a listening ear and emotional support to parents in problematic situations.
  
  Providing information, advice and support to individual families, to enable them to achieve the desired outcomes within their support plan.
  
  Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
  
  Participating fully in training and supervision.
  
  Volunteering within Barnardo's Basis and Values.

• Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
  
  Approachable and welcoming.
  
  The ability to communicate and engage with children, young people and families.
  
  Being non-judgmental and positive in their attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds.
  
  Having some knowledge and understanding of supporting parents and carers, and the issues faced by disadvantaged families.
  
  Having personal experience with running a home and/or maintaining family routines.
  
  The ability empathise with children, young people and families, who may be facing difficult times in their lives.

• Benefits: Full induction and training.
  
  Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
  
  Regular supervision and support.
  
  Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
  
  Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
  
  Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.