Family Supporters Edinburgh
- Supporting parents and families across Edinburgh who face a range of life challenges or barriers such as isolation, poverty and inequality, disability, or health issues
- Volunteers, known as Family Supporters, provide a range of social, emotional or practical support in a flexible, personalised way
- 250 families and over 100 volunteers have taken part over the last 5 years
- Family Supporters help to tackle social isolation, develop skills, improving health and wellbeing, and boosting resilience
Family Supporters Edinburgh offers social, emotional, and practical support to parents and families across the City of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life barriers and challenges.
We recruit, train, match and provide ongoing support to adult volunteers – local people from across the city – who are there for families every step of the way. Normally committing to a few hours per week, volunteers spend time supporting parents and families to reach their goals, normally in the family home or in the community.
The programme supports parents and families in a bespoke, personalised and flexible way. This may include help to become less socially isolated, improve health and wellbeing, enhance living standards, support with housing, guidance to move into Education, Employment or Training, help around family routines, budgeting, and so much more.
By participating in the programme, parents and families receive bespoke and flexible 1:1 help and guidance, often improving their Health and Wellbeing, becoming less isolated, and reaching a wide range of personal goals
Current volunteering opportunity
Family Supporter (Edinburgh)
Support families in Edinburgh to overcome challenges and build more stable, connected lives. As a Family Supporter, you will provide regular, one-to-one support that empowers families to set goals…
76%
of families reported improved mental health
71 %
of families accessed further opportunities
70%
of families had improvement self-care skills
“
As a parent, I am extremely grateful to Family Supporters Edinburgh for the support I received. The trusting relationship I built with my volunteer helped me feel safe, listened to, and supported during a very difficult time, and it has made a lasting, positive difference to my confidence and wellbeing.
– Family Member
Our impact in 2025/26
This report covers the work of Volunteering Matters Family Supporters Edinburgh project from April 2025 to March 2026. Over the last year we have seen a significant increase in the number of families seeking our support, reflecting the challenging times that many are currently facing.
As a direct result of our work:
- 73% of families saw improvement in their home living standards
- 82% of families reported improved mental health
- 64% of families accessed further opportunities
- 73% of families had improvement self-care skills
- 55% of families felt more able to make healthier choices
Get in touch
If you’re interested in volunteering or would like to refer someone to this programme.
Contact the team
T: 0131 564 1951
Kindly supported by our funders
