Location: Frankston area, the whole of the Mornington Peninsula and Cardinia Shire
Position type: Voluntary
Required commitment: One year
Hours: 2 or more hours per fortnight
Support: Full staff support, training and supervision - afterhours phone support
Program: Child and Family Support

Have you noticed how few children have any extended family these days? Ever been tempted to stand-in for them? Here's your chance. If you can play games, read stories and just enjoy letting them be kids and supporting their parents, this is for you. Many parents would love to have someone like you step into the gap to help build and strengthen their family.

As a volunteer in this role you would be spending quality time with a family. You may be there mostly to spend time with a child who hasn't got a grandparent or other extended family close at hand, but will probably find that you befriend the whole family. You will likely become a valued family friend, whom they may seek out for support and advice.

To do this job, you need a warm heart, a friendly nature and an open ear. Volunteers that undertake this role would love children and value family. They sometimes find that they are the ones invited to schools for "Special Person's Day" and school concerts. They may be involved with children's birthdays, might even help bake the cake. They might teach someone how to repair a puncture on bike or how to tighten the bolts on their cubby. This list is endless and so are the rewards!

You would receive guidance and support from your volunteer coordinator and be invited to attend regular volunteer support meetings and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

The main reasons families might need this kind of support is a lack of accessible extended family.

Skills required

• The ability to see things from someone else's point of view
• Empathic and non-judgemental viewpoint
• A willingness to have fun and laugh
• A good listening ear, probably over a nice cup of tea
• Be focussed on helping to build stronger family relationships
• Willingness to push a swing and generally get involved with "kid's stuff"

Requirements

• Easy access to volunteering area
• Driver's license preferred, but not essential
• Working with Children Check card
• 100 points of ID for National Criminal Check (Police Check)

Volunteer and Carer position online enquiry form