Course Title: Helper2027/02 (Isle of Wight)
Number of places available: 12
Course start date: Wednesday 23rd September 2026 10am to 12pm
Course end date: Wednesday 13th January 2027 10am-12pm
Day and time of sessions:
| Wednesdays 10am to 12pm – mix of face-to-face and online sessions. Session 1 – Wednesday 23rd September 10am to 12pm at Ryde Family Hub Session 2 – Wednesday 30th September 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom Session 3 – Wednesday 7th October 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom Session 4 – Wednesday 14th October 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom *Two weeks break over half term* Session 5 – Wednesday 4th November 10am to 12pm at Ryde Family Hub Session 6 – Wednesday 11th November 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom Volunteer Coordinator session – Wednesday 18th November 10am to 12pm at Ryde Family Hub Session 7 – Wednesday 25th November 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom Session 8 – Wednesday 2nd December 10am to 12pm at Ryde Family Hub Session 9 – Wednesday 9th December 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom Session 10 – Wednesday 16th December 10am to 12pm – online via Zoom *two weeks break* Session 11 – Wednesday 6th January 10am to 12pm at Ryde venue TBC Session 12 – Wednesday 13th January 10am to 12pm at Ryde venue TBC Celebration event – Wednesday 10th February 10am to 12pm at Ryde venue TBC. |
Assignments to be completed by:13th January 2027
Course venue: Either face to face or online via Zoom as detailed in ‘Day and time of sessions’ section. Face to face sessions at Ryde Family Hub, George Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 2JF.
Closing date for applications: 21st July 2026
Proposed interview date (if applicable):
| Date: Wednesday 12th August Time: 2 options – 10.30am to 12pm or 1pm to 2.30pm Where: Ryde Family Hub (Spring room), George Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2JF Please note that an external person from Barnardo’s will be part of the selection panel and present at these informal interviews. |
DBS/PVG required: Yes ( BfN will arrange this at no cost to volunteers)
Course information:
| We are training a cohort of Breastfeeding Network volunteers to provide breastfeeding peer support within the Family Hubs and at other venues across the Isle of Wight. Please mention what area/areas you can volunteer in on your application. We can cover reasonable travel expenses to attend the face-to-face training sessions at Ryde Family Hub. Please read the ‘Helper’ volunteer role description to get an understanding of the role. We would encourage you to visit a group before the informal interview to get an idea of the support we provide if you have not previously attended one. Details of these can be found at https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/project/isleofwight/ and https://www.isleofwightfamilycentres.org.uk/breast-feeding-support. Following completion of the training and registration with the Breastfeeding Network, volunteers will be expected to commit to regular volunteering for a period of at least one year. Alongside volunteering, as part of maintaining registration with the Breastfeeding Network, you will be expected to attend monthly supervision sessions (minimum of 8 sessions in 12 months) and complete mandatory training on a yearly basis. There is no childcare provided but children are welcome to come along to the training with you. |
How to apply:
If you are interested in being considered for this role please complete the online application form found at the link below.
If you have any questions about the course, voluntary role or application process, please email training@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk or telephone our HR Advisor on 0844 412 0995.