Benefits of Volunteering in Respite Care for Families with Children in FosterCare: A Volunteer Perspective

Abstract

Objectives: The research focuses on the importance and benefits of
volunteering in respite services for families with children in foster care and
families in crisis. The aim was to identify how volunteers perceive their
role, what benefits their activities have for the child, the parents and the
volunteers themselves.

Methods: Qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured
interviews with six volunteers working in the organization Návrat. The analysis of the interviews showed that volunteering brings children support, experiences and individual attention, provides parents with space for rest and regeneration and brings volunteers a sense of meaning and personal enrichment. The research also pointed out the challenges that volunteers experience in their activities.

Results and discussion: The research results were analysed through
open coding and subsequently interpreted in the form of thematic areas.
The research showed that volunteering has a positive impact on the
development of the child, supports their emotional stability and can also be
a support for the foster family. At the same time, the need for professional
guidance, supervision and accessible training for volunteers was identified.
The research points to the potential of volunteering as a complement to
professional services in the child and family care system and opens up space for further research in this area.