volunteering
FACES are always looking to increase our volunteer team. We welcome male and female volunteers with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.
As a FACES volunteer, you will receive induction training, out of pocket expenses and one to one supervision. Many of our volunteers go onto further education or employment as a direct result of this rewarding experience.
So if you are a parent, grand-parent, have parenting experience or extensive experience of working with children and/or families then contact us for more information or simply download the application form, send it back and we will contact you.
family groups
We are always looking for volunteers to support at Children's Centre Stay and Play Groups and specialist services. This is an opportunity for those who simply want to work with little ones or those who want the experience for a work placement.
family support
We require volunteers to help provide practical and emotional support to families, visiting them in their homes. This is on a 1:1 basis.
Training
We provide all our prospective volunteers with the knowledge and tools they will need to support families in various capacities via our 30 hour volunteer training course which runs 9:30am – 2:30pm one day a week over six weeks (with breaks during the school holidays).
We cover a number of essential topics including confidentiality and safeguarding, as well as subjects which enable our volunteers to understand our families’ specific circumstances such as domestic abuse and child development. We also include sessions about keeping yourself safe as a volunteer and when to ask for support from the rest of the team.
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life. For our home visiting services we require volunteers who are parents themselves or have previous experience of working with children/families. We have supervised roles at our groups for volunteers do not meet this criteria. We require a clear DBS check and satisfactory references (one from a professional source). We are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Volunteering with FACES can serve as a great stepping stone back into work, for a change of career or even just confidence building. We pride ourselves on the commitment and support we provide to our volunteers and are grateful to receive the same back from them. Our volunteers are treated with as much respect and appreciation as our practitioners because, without them we would not be able to deliver our award winning services to so many families across Bedford Borough. Our volunteers are consulted as to which role and situations they feel confident to work with.
If you would like to join us, please download an application form or, alternatively contact us on 01234 270601 or office@facesbedford.org for more information.