Volunteering

Volunteering doesn’t only make a difference to the families we support, it can also be an enriching and fulfilling experience for our Volunteers.

Would you like to make a difference? Come and volunteer with us!

Volunteering doesn’t only make a difference to the families we support, it can be an enriching and fulfilling experience for our volunteers too.

Come and join our great team of family support volunteers and help make a difference to local families experiencing stress, emotional or practical difficulties, ill health, disabilities or who need parenting support. Using your own life experiences, you may engage with the whole family with the aim of empowering them to be the best they can be.

To find out more or apply for a volunteering role with us?

Please contact Clare Francis, Volunteer Co-Ordinator.

Tel: 07725 550540 Email: clare@cumbriafamilysupport.org.uk

Alternatively, you can download and complete the registration form here: Leaflets & Forms

Induction and Volunteer Development Program

Our initial volunteer training session covers all the essential information about our organisation, operations, policies and procedures, health and safety and lone working.

This then leads onto the Volunteer Development Programme with covers a wide range of topics around family support and helps to equip our volunteers with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently support children and families in the community.

As part of the initial induction and training, volunteers will also be required to complete an e-learning safeguarding session, as this is an essential part of the role.

Training Events and Skills Development

Through the year we organise specialist training events covering topics relevant to our work with children and families. The training events are free for staff and volunteers and we encourage all volunteer to participate where they can.

Volunteering with Cumbria Family Support can offer a new career opportunity, support an individual to get back to work, provide an enhanced training experience for students and bring new friends and skills into your life. It is not essential for volunteers to have a family support background as we provide full training.

In 2022 we have a range of training on offer to our volunteers which include:

Getting to grips with our case management system Charity Log
Reducing Parental Conflict/Family Matters
Self Care, Exercise and Mindfulness
Using Genograms
Family Links Parenting Support
Trauma Informed Practice
Difficult Conversations and positive transitions from support

Volunteer Support

Our Volunteer Coordinator provides ongoing support for all their volunteer teams on an individual basis, and at group support meetings which are held regularly throughout the year. The support meetings are an opportunity for volunteers to share their experiences with others and gain support from the network. The meetings also ensure volunteers are kept up to date with practice developments and usually include a specialist training element.

Volunteers for Families

We have a number of volunteer roles:

Home based support: A role providing families with practical and emotional support.

Roles include:

Long Term Family Support
School/ Homework Buddy
Group Work Support
Helping Hand
Community Driver

Child Contact Centres:

A role providing support in Contact centres located in Carlisle, Penrith, Kendal and Maryport

This role involves helping to facilitate contact between children and their non resident

parent an environment that is safe, neutral and welcoming.

Recognising our Amazing Volunteers!

Each year we hold a Volunteer Recognition and Development event.

March 2022 was a long overdue event after all the Covid Restrictions. We were privileged to recognise our long service volunteers: We have over 50 volunteers, 14 of whom have volunteered in their roles for over 10 years and another 7 who have been with us more than 5 years! We were also fortunate to be joined by Andy Slattery (former Assistant Chief Constable for Cumbria) giving his key note speech about the hugely beneficial impact of the volunteer workforce across Cumbria during the pandemic.

In June 2023 we held our second Recognition and Development event, with a chocolates and thankyou’s to all. We had some fascinating “Reducing Family Conflict- Family Matters” training, and an energising and fun “Drumming Circle” session at lunchtime. Wonder what 2024 will bring?!