Ways You Can Volunteer Be a Volunteer Want to be an agent of change for KidSTART? Find out about the ways you can volunteer with us here! Ways You Can Volunteer 1. Outreach to families As part of the Growing Together with KidSTART initiative, we are looking for volunteers to help with our outreach efforts. KidSTART is progressively expanding nationwide. Help us to engage eligible families and to reach our goal. Expected commitment: At least 3 months (3 hours per outreach session), various locations. Required to attend 2-3 hours of training before deployment 2. KidSTART Friend A KidSTART Friend helps to provide ad-hoc support to KidSTART Practitioners and families. This includes supporting KidSTART Practitioners on home visits. Expected commitment: Required to attend 2-3 hours of training before deployment 3. Raise funds & awareness Share about KidSTART’s cause and help to raise much-needed funds for our families. Kickstart an initiative in your school, workplace or community, and let us know how we can be a part of it. 4. Packing and delivery of essential aids & learning packs to KidSTART families Assist in the packing and/or delivery of essential aids or learning packs to the KidSTART families. Some opportunities may require the distribution volunteers to have their own transport and work in pairs (e.g. driver & accompanying passenger). For more information, please contact volunteer@kidstart.sg Join us as a Volunteer today! Slide“My biggest takeaway after becoming a part of this community is helping the families and children as well as making new friends. Positive actions bring Positive change. Volunteering with KidSTART Singapore is a great way to bring Positive change to people, communities and society. Helping children and families gives you a chance to give back to the community or make a difference to the people around you.” Reema Acharya, KidSTART Volunteer Slide“I have always enjoyed volunteering. It makes me happy when I can connect with families and support KidSTART’s programme. It gives me meaning and purpose knowing that I am able to contribute to the people around. My spouse and friends have also joined me in this cause, and we always look forward to the smiles on children when we see them during each distribution drive!” Hui Bing and Jian Qiang, KidSTART Distribution Volunteers Slide“I really appreciate the team efficiency in helping volunteers able to do the voluntary work with ease.” Siti Az-zahroh, KidSTART Distribution Volunteer Slide“There was a family whom we visited who had 3 children. The mother was really struggling to support the children’s development. The mother was not aware of KidSTART programs and once we shared it, she was so relieved and immediately wanted to enrol in community, preschool programmes. It was a heartfelt moment for me as we have brought in some change to those children.” Stephen, KidSTART Outreach Volunteer Slide“It has been an enriching experience for me ever since I joined KidSTART Singapore as a volunteer. Being able to partake in the meaningful activities has brought much joy and fulfilment to me. I am humbled to be in a position where I can contribute and make a difference to the lives of those who I interact with.” Johnny, KidSTART Distribution Volunteer Slide“As a preschool educator, I believe in giving equal opportunities for children. I started volunteering with KidSTART Singapore because I strongly support its cause in empowering families to provide a strong foundation for children.” Siti Ruquiyah, KidSTART Distribution Volunteer KidSTART Volunteers’ Code of Conduct Be Respectful to families Be neat and appropriately dressed (e.g. avoid spaghetti straps, sleeveless or revealing clothes). Be courteous and respectful to clients and their family members (e.g. greet members). Respect the family’s environment/space (e.g. not to enter unless invited in, remove shoes before entering home). Respect and show sensitivity to family’s culture, religion, background and practices. Refrain from being judgmental and showing negative body language (e.g., if there are sights/smells that are off-putting). Practise health and safety management Do not join the session if unwell so as not to endanger the children and families during the volunteer service by placing them at risk of contagious illnesses. Do not be under the influence of alcohol while volunteering. Observe all safety procedures. Respect confidentiality Any official information acquired in the course of volunteer duties is strictly confidential and is not to be published or communicated to any other person in any form whatsoever unless such disclosure has been expressly authorised by KidSTART Singapore Ltd (“KSL”) or the receiving party of such information is authorised by KSL to request and/or receive such information. Do not take photos and post on social media (with or without families), even if permission is sought directly with families. Formal approval will have to be obtained from KSL. Do not post any photos or videos on reports, advertisements and promotional material on social media without obtaining the permission from KSL. Do not exchange your personal contact information with the families. Return all materials that belong to KSL, and any other copies made or reproduced from such document or part thereof. Destroy all documents (both hard and soft copies) including emails if you have received any sensitive or confidential information. Be professional Do not act as a spokesperson for KSL or KidSTART programme unless prior permission or authority has been given. Be present for your duties and if unable to, to inform your Volunteer manager as early as possible Carry out your duties responsibly, safely and in a competent manner Do not accept or offer personal gifts, rewards, benefits or lend money to families. When unsure of boundaries between your role as a volunteer and the beneficiaries of the KidSTART programme, volunteers should seek guidance from the Volunteer manager. Do not have inappropriate physical contact such as touching, hugging, or kissing the child or any member of the family. Do not bring a KidSTART child anywhere with/without accompaniment and permission by staff/child’s caregiver. Do not act in any way that may create liability or bring KSL or KidSTART programme and its name into disrepute. Do not promote personal or commercial interests such as touting of products or services you have an interest in to families, within and outside of volunteer service sessions. Avoid Conflict Interest Volunteers are expected to avoid situations which may give rise to a conflict of interest with KidSTART e.g. other commitments or roles in other agencies. If any potential area of conflict arises, please consult your Volunteer Coordinator. Breaches of the Code Any breach of this Code may lead to a warning of unacceptable behaviour or immediate termination of services as a volunteer. Feedback and Whistleblowing Volunteers who would like to raise concerns on any wrongful practices may do so by emailing to whistleblowing@kidstart.sg. If you wish to provide feedback on your volunteering journey, you may do so by emailing to volunteer@kidstart.sg.