Volunteers Supporting Families Launched in Waltham Forest

We have joined forces with Waltham Forest Council to launch Volunteers Supporting Families in the local area. We will be recruiting and training volunteer mentors to support families with children at risk of significant harm through neglect, who are in crisis or who need extra help.

As part of the project, we enable trained volunteers to help families address the challenges they face and assist them in creating a happy and safe environment in which they can thrive. Volunteers provide practical support and encouragement, helping families with budgeting, healthy eating, setting routines and improving social networks.

Run in partnership with Waltham Forest Children and Families Service, Volunteers Supporting Families volunteers will meet a family on a weekly basis over a six month period to empower parents to develop the skills required to overcome serious challenges. In many cases this support could enable the family to rebuild their lives and move on from social worker intervention. 

Already a success in other areas including Greenwich and Southend-on-Sea, the programme is now available to Waltham Forest residents and we are calling on potential volunteers to get in touch.

Verna Chung, our Head of London and South, said: “Our volunteers, and the parents they support, continue to impress us with their energy, resilience, patience and commitment to overcome serious challenges, protect vulnerable children and rebuild family relationships. We are proud to be able to offer this key support to people across Waltham Forest and would like to invite prospective volunteers to contact us to find out more.”

Cllr Naheed Asghar, Cabinet Member for Health and the Voluntary Sector, said: “Volunteering to help vulnerable families makes a huge difference to those who need it most, and results in a safer, stronger community for everyone.

“One of the council’s main priorities is supporting residents to make the most of their life chances. Working with great organisations like Volunteering Matters helps us achieve this aim.”

 

Find out more about Volunteers Supporting Families

Why Volunteers Supporting Families is needed now more than ever