The projects recruit, train and match  volunteers to mentor and support families with complex needs, such as alcohol or substance misuse, mental health and emotional well being and where children are at risk of significant harm through neglect. Volunteers make weekly visits to the families building up a strong relationship with the parent/s, listening to their problems and offering practical help.

Support is overseen by our professional volunteer managers, who are embedded within the local authority’s children’s services team.  This ensures that interventions are seamlessly coordinated and flexible, adding value to professionally delivered services. We provide the vital practical and emotional support to create brighter futures.

Run in partnership with Council Social Service teams to target families most in need of support, our volunteers help keep families together and reduce the number of children on child protection plans and child in need plans. By improving parenting skills, reducing isolation and improving the quality of family life the reliance on social care services is also reduced.

They act as trusted mentors, providing consistent emotional and practical support to families in their homes every week for six months.  Volunteers tailor their support to the unique needs of each family, building on strengths and promoting resilience.