At Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire we invest time to get to know people. All people. Staff, volunteers, families, referrers, funders and so the list goes on. By understanding and getting to know individuals and families we are able to experience meaningful connections, giving us the opportunity to truly work alongside people.
We know through experience the benefits of peer support – by sharing similar life experiences, people can feel more able to move forward, giving and receiving encouragement to each other. At Home-Start our 1:1 support from volunteers who are parents or have had 24/7 care of children provides the perfect platform for sharing experiences, views and opportunities. We know that peer support comes in many forms and at Home-Start we listen carefully and are guided by parents as to their preferred way of connecting and engaging with others. This can be through groups, 1:1 support, online, in communities, at home. Flexibility and feeling safe are essential. Our volunteers are our bread and butter and for families that we have the privilege of working alongside, peer support is a life line.
Peer support is not always about getting or giving advice. Social and emotional support is equally as important and can bring many benefits particularly in relation to individuals’ health and wellbeing. It is different to all people but always starts with building authentic, caring, non-judgemental relationships.
Something Home-Start prides itself in doing well.