Organisation Name:
Belfrey Safe Families
Organisation's Cause(s):
Children / Young People / Families
Location of voluntary activity:
We provide support to families who have been refereed to us through local primary schools, both in and around the York area.
When are volunteers needed: We ask volunteers to be available once a week or once a fortnight for up to six months at a time. Days and times can be flexible to fit in with a family.
For example:
1 -2 hours during a school day, after school or at the weekend. There is often more flexibility during school holidays.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Befriending / Buddying
Home visits
Volunteering with Children & Young People
Role description:
Connecting with a family as a Belfrey Safe Families volunteer is an incredible way to make a difference to families who may be overwhelmed by their circumstances.
Family Friends work directly with families, coming alongside and giving support to parents and children when they need it most, making sure they feel less isolated. This could look like having a cup of coffee with a parent and giving them time to talk, joining a community group together, going out for walks in the park, playing or having fun with children.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
We would love you to be someone who has the following skills and behaviours:
- kind, caring and patient
- friendly and welcoming
- empathetic and non judgmental
- a good listener, focusing on the family rather than yourself
- able to empower through encouragement and guidance
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Families
Ongoing Volunteering
Short term Volunteering
Skilled Volunteer
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
Volunteers will receive 3 modules of training, 2 on line and one in person:
Module 1: Building Belonging - including mental health and understanding trauma
Module 2: Safeguarding (in person in York) - including secure database use
Modules 3: Caring Consistently - including understanding family goals and completing well
(Further relevant training courses are available free of charge to volunteers if they would like to continue learning.)
Continued support from a Family Support Manager is offered throughout volunteering, ensuring that our volunteers are looked after well, before, during and after supporting a family.
Simple notes need to be typed onto a secure database system after each contact with a family, to ensure a accurate picture of support is recorded.
Building a trusted relationship with a parent, child or family is such a privilege, offering huge benefits to the volunteer as well as the family.
How to get involved:
You'll start by completing a volunteer application form - please complete the form on the following link: https://volunteer.safefamilies.uk/
Next, we'll undertake a DBS check
A really important step is the volunteer assessment - a one to one conversation about your background, experiences and motivation to volunteer
3 Modules of training
We finally take all the information we have gathered to 'panel' to confirm you are a safe and appropriate person to connect with a family.
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 31-12-2025