Family Support Mentor - Telephone Befriending Volunteer

Becoming a Family Support Volunteer Mentor with Home-Start Essex is a truly rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of local families. Our mentors play a vital role in the home by: 

• Supporting parents/carers through challenging times.

• Helping children overcome difficulties and thrive.

• Strengthening family wellbeing and resilience. 

By offering your time, empathy, and life experience, you can help prevent future problems and give children the best possible start in life. We work with a diverse range of families and deeply value the unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives each volunteer brings. 

Your support empowers families to build brighter futures—one connection at a time. 

As a Telephone Befriender, you will offer emotional support and encouragement to a parent or carer through weekly one-to-one calls. By giving your time, friendship, and a listening ear, you can help someone feel less alone and more able to cope during a challenging time. 

Telephone Befrienders are asked to:

• Commit to weekly calls (by phone or video) of up to 1 hour for 3 months

• Build a supportive, non-judgmental relationship

• Complete a Volunteer Contact Record after each call 

Your support can make a big difference – just one call at a time.

What skills do I need?

No formal qualifications required as full training will be given. Having experience of parenting or working with families/children would be a bonus.

Interests

• Children
• Families and Parenting
• Mental Health

Activities

• Advice and Information
• Practical Skills
• Supporting People and Befriending