Stevenage and North Hertfordshire
Child Contact Centre
Volunteering
Like the majority of Child Contact Centres, Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Child Contact Centres are staffed ENTIRELY BY VOLUNTEERS.
Many of our volunteers have been associated with the Centre since its inception, however in order to continue providing this vital service to the communities of Stevenage and North Hertfordshire on a regular basis, we always need more people who are willing to volunteer to help out at the Centre.
Volunteers don’t have to have had children of their own, they just need to like children and have time to spare.
A volunteer at the Child Contact Centre is primarily responsible for facilitating meaningful contact between a child or children and a non-resident parent, by:
- Helping to prepare the Centre before children arrive
- Welcoming families and showing them around.
- Listening to adults and children without judging, advising or taking sides.
- Making and serving refreshments.
- Tidying up, once the centre is closed.
What qualities do volunteers need?
Volunteers need to be:
- Impartial
- Caring
- Tolerant
- Sensitive
- Flexible
- Discreet
- Enthusiastic
- Reliable
They must always put children’s needs first and not take sides with either parent or any other adult involved in the contact.
Volunteers must be over 18 years of age.
How much time will I need to give?
Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Child Contact Centres open on the first and third Saturday of each month. Volunteers need to be available from 9.00am until 2:30pm.
Volunteers are expected to volunteer time every four to six weeks (although can do so more frequently if desired) and the rota is flexible so volunteers can sign up for dates which are convenient to them.
New volunteers have an initial induction and then do two sessions as an ‘extra’ in order to get valuable on-the-job experience. Ongoing support is available from Team Leaders and the Co-ordinator; additional training sessions are also arranged regularly.
For more information …
For more information please contact the co-ordinator at:
Stevenage & North Hertfordshire Child Contact Centres
c/o Hampson Park Community Centre
Webb Rise,
Stevenage SG1 5QU
Email: info@snhccc.org.uk
Telephone: 07563 727 033
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