Health & Welfare

Volunteers visit families in their own homes, where there is at least one child under five years of age.

They form relationships with the families in which time can be shared and understanding developed.

Playing with the children, talking and listening, helping in and out of the home - all these kinds of help can be offered.

Home-Start volunteers are people who are parents themselves or who have parenting experience and understand the stresses of bringing up children - which can be a difficult and demanding job!

No specific qualifications are required, all volunteers are good listeners, warm and compassionate and aware of the needs of families.

Before a volunteer goes to work with a family they must attend a training programme. It is HomeStart policy to rigorously screen all volunteers before they are matched with families.

Regular support and on-going training is offered to all volunteers by the Co-ordinator.

Local families who are experiencing difficulties or suffering stress and who have at least one child under five years of age can apply for a home-visiting volunteer.

It is always the family's choice whether to accept the service Home-Start has to offer. They can apply themselves or can be referred by their health visitor, social worker, or other professional working with the family.

Home-Start Caithness is now in operation throughout the county.

Home-Start Caithness is part of an international organisation that has been operating in Scotland since 1985.

Training information and guidance on all aspects of the work is supplied by Home-Start UK who employs a consultant to provide support for all the schemes in the north of Scotland.

The local scheme was founded in 1999 and is managed by a committee made up of representatives from voluntary and statutory agencies locally. Home-Start volunteers have two representatives on the management committee.

This committee is responsible for the employment and management of the employment and management of the co-ordinator and secretary and supporting the work of Home-Start throughout Caithness.

More Information about Homestart

Homestart also runs the Wick Twins Group
The Thurso Twins Group is a separate group.