Family Mentor (Southend-on-Sea)
Support families in Southend-on-Sea facing challenges and help create safer, more positive futures for children. As a Family Mentor volunteer, you will provide consistent, one-to-one support that builds confidence, stability and stronger relationships.
For volunteers aged 18+ in Southend-on-Sea or surrounding areas
In this role, you will be matched with a family and offer tailored support based on their individual needs. This includes regular home visits, usually once a week, where you will provide practical help, emotional support and a listening ear without judgement.
You will support families to set goals, build confidence and take steps towards positive change. This may also involve encouraging them to access local services and community support, helping to strengthen their wider network.
You will be supported throughout by your Volunteer Project team, with guidance every step of the way. By giving just 1–2 hours a week, you can make a meaningful and lasting difference to families in your community.
“
Stepping into my role as a Family Mentor, I’m reminded of one simple truth: your voice matters. Every story, every worry, every hope deserves to be heard.
— Dione, Family Mentor Volunteer
You don’t need formal qualifications – what matters most is your attitude and commitment.
We’re looking for people who are:
- Friendly, reliable, resilient and compassionate
- Good listeners with a non-judgemental approach
- Able to build positive relationships with families and an interest in helping people.
- Willing to commit to supporting a family once a week for at least six months
- Willing to provide references and complete a DBS (Criminal Records Check) paid for by us.
- Aged 18 or over
- Resides in the South Essex community
We particularly welcome volunteers who reflect the diversity of the families we support.
Volunteering as a Family Mentor is deeply rewarding and offers the chance to:
- Make a meaningful difference to families’ lives
- Gain valuable experience in mentoring and family support
- Build confidence, communication and problem-solving skills
- Be part of a supportive and passionate volunteering community
- Receive ongoing support and training from our dedicated Volunteer Project Team
- Future References
- Reasonable out of pocket expenses, including travel costs
We’ll make sure you feel confident and supported in your role. You’ll receive:
- Full induction and role-specific training
- Regular supervision and ongoing
- Access to additional learning and development opportunities
“The training offers meaningful learning, strong guidance, and practical tools.” –Carrie, Family Mentor Project Coordinator
More about the project
Family Mentors
Family Mentors is an effective programme, proven to reduce the number of children at risk of going into care. By preventing and de-escalating issues, our volunteers help struggling families to turn…
What volunteers think
100%
of volunteers report increased confidence following training
100%
say the training is relevant and practical
100%
would recommend it to others
How the project works
Families are referred to the project through local services and are carefully matched with a trained volunteer Family Mentor. Each mentor provides one-to-one support over a sustained period (typically six months), offering a reliable and trusted presence in the family home.
Volunteers are recruited from the local community and reflect the diversity of the families they support. They receive extensive training and ongoing supervision from experienced Volunteer Coordinators, ensuring support is safe, effective and meaningful.
Volunteers often support families experiencing complex challenges, including mental health and emotional wellbeing issues, alcohol or substance misuse, and situations where children may be at risk of harm through neglect. Through regular visits and consistent encouragement, mentors help families feel heard, supported and empowered.
- Visit families in their homes on a regular (usually weekly) basis
- Listen without judgement and build strong, trusting relationships
- Provide practical and emotional support tailored to each family’s needs
- Help parents identify goals and make positive, lasting changes
- Build on strengths and promote resilience
- Encourage confidence and independence
- Work alongside professional services where appropriate
The Family Mentors project in Southend-on-Sea is funded by Southend Borough Council and delivered by Volunteering Matters in partnership with local services. Our professional Volunteer Managers are embedded within the local authority’s children’s services team, ensuring interventions are well-coordinated, flexible and add value to professionally delivered support.
Working closely with council social care teams, volunteers support families most in need through weekly home visits over a six-month period. By offering consistent emotional and practical support tailored to each family, Family Mentors help improve parenting confidence, reduce isolation, strengthen family life, and reduce reliance on statutory services — helping keep families together and improving outcomes for children.
“
I’m a warm person, and I want the families I support to feel that warmth too
— Nicola, Family Mentor volunteer
This opportunity is kindly supported by:
