Family Engagement Champion

Barnardo’s Family Engagement Champions work alongside colleagues, other volunteers and community organisations to help develop existing networks and establish new community based networks. The aim of this role is to create connections between families and their local communities, which will support children, young people and parents, to improve their self confidence, develop social skills and build positive relationships. We are looking for volunteers to regularly assist with the delivery of local community groups, such as Family Centre outreach sessions, seasonal community events, community fayres & local foodbank drop-in's. This will involve creating a welcoming and supportive environment, where families can informally share their experiences and challenges. Family Engagement Champions will provide appropriate information, support and signposting to other organisations. The role will also support the establishment of new community based networks in response to needs. This will involve offering information, support and signposting to other organisations at existing groups run by other providers. A key part of the role is also attending groups and events, to gather feedback on services both in the community & within Barnardo's settings, to ensure current groups continue to meet their needs and to inform future developments. This role will be to support our Community Engagement Lead. Our service covers, Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Royston and surrounding villages. Expenses will be reimbursed. Ideally, we are looking for volunteers to commit to volunteering on a weekly basis, in order to develop positive relationships with those who access groups and other organisations.
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: Supporting colleagues to establish networks with other organisations within local communities, such as education providers, local parish councils and other family support services.
- Establishing partnerships with other providers to set up new family support based activities in response to need.
- Regularly attending community group sessions in Barnardo's and the wider community, to provide information, support and signposting on support networks and services available to them.
- Listening to children, young people & their parents to understand their needs through pop up sessions, community events and drop-in's within Barnardo's and wider community settings.
- 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 Values and Behaviours- Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
- The ability to be able to confidently communicate & engage with children, young people & their parents.
- Approachable & welcoming
- The ability to work independently and use your own initiative, as well as working as part of a team.
- Having some local knowledge of working in communities would be useful, but not essential.
- Good listening skills
- Passionate, enthusiastic, compassionate and having an open minded approach.- 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.