Family Hubs, Gateshead Council Play outreach volunteer 5 Years +

Gateshead's Family Hubs provide a welcoming space for families and the wider community, as well as wrap-around support services all in one place. 

Our Family Hubs support families from conception to the age of two to give all children the best start in life. We continue to support families of children up to the age of 19 and to the age of 25 for young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

There are currently 8 Family Hubs located across Gateshead replacing the council's Children centres including:

• Birtley Harras Bank,  Harras Bank, Birtley, Gateshead DH3 2LN
• Blaydon Winlaton Family Hub, Shibdon Bank, Blaydon, Gateshead NE21 5EX
• Chopwell, Derwent Street, Chopwell, Gateshead, NE17 7HS
• Chowdene Family Hub, Waverley Road, Chowdene, Gateshead, NE9 7TU
• Deckham Family Hub, Elgin Centre, Elgin Road, Gateshead, NE9 5PA 
• Felling Family Hub, High Street, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 9LT
• Leam Lane, Cotemede, Leam Lane, Gateshead, NE10 8QH
• Teams Family Hub, Rose Street, Teams, Gateshead, NE8 2LS 
• Wrekenton Hub, High Street, Gateshead, NE9 7JR 

This is a new volunteer opportunity delivered through Family Hubs. This will be part of the service delivered through the programme across 8 main sites. 

This particular volunteer role is for short term play sessions which will be delivered during the school holidays and towards children 5 years and over. 

The play sessions are an informal environment which welcome any of the families being supported to come and join in. 

Parents and carers are encouraged to stay during the play sessions and play employees (through Family Hub Staff) can initiate discussions. 

Working with the Family Hub employee's volunteers are welcomed to add value to the sessions and suggest different activities for example,: song time, story time and crafts 

Volunteers will be supported to deliver their own sessions if they would like to, or to work alongside the employees delivering the activities. 

Volunteers will be an add on to the service and can gain knowledge and support by working alongside the Family Hub Employees.

Each volunteer will be able to discuss what they would like to take part in across any of the Family Hubs with officers.  

Volunteers can also move between roles and activities once they are part of the team too. 

Volunteers are welcome to come along and meet with staff and volunteers to experience what our Family Hubs offer. 

All volunteers will receive an in- depth induction, any relevant training and guidance will be provided. Each building will have its own general housekeeping which will be explained to each volunteer. 

Any training that becomes available will be offered to all volunteers. 

General tasks may include:

• Set up of play session room.
• Welcoming parents/carers
• Offering support to Family Hub officers
• Delivering story time or other activities 
• Helping with queries during the session
• Helping to tidy up and close the session. 
• Suggesting and creating new craft activities or activities that may be of interest to the groups.