"4 - Ever - Freends " Befriending Service
Opportunity: Volunteer Befriender
What is it about? :
1 : 1 befriending of an individual over the age of 60yrs who experiences mental health difficulties and isolation. Activities undertaken are based on social and leisure activities. This can be anything from home visits and sharing a cuppa and a chat, to going outdoors and getting involved in any social activity of the clients choice.
Opportunities to take part in group outings and group work activities.
What can I do to Help?
By spending time and engaging with people in social and leisure settings you can:
- bring a sense of value and purpose to their lives
- help them feel less isolated
- be a friend
- listen to them
- help to raise their confidence and self esteem
- improve their quality of life
- encourage and help them have fun again!
- improve their mental health and wellbeing
What is it the Time Commitment? :
Around 1 - 3 hours per week. We ask volunteers for an initial commitment of 6 months.
Will I get Training :
Initial training of 5 x 2 hour sessions covering :
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Befrienders role
Communication
Boundaries
Safety Guidelines
Ongoing Training and support provided
Will I get Expenses paid? : Out of pocket expenses provided.
Who is suitable to be a befriender? :
If you have a
- genuine interest in working with people over the age of 60yrs.
- have a sense of humour
- reliable
- trustworthy
- have a few hours to spare
- non-judgemental
- have a few hours to spare
If you have all of the above then you may well be who we are looking for!!!
What do I need to do to volunteer?
1) Call us for an information pack
2) Complete the application form
3) We will contact you to come in for an initial informal interview
4) Undertake induction training
5) A second informal interview takes place and we will discuss matching
6) Match meeting with client and co-ordinator takes place!
You and the client will then decide what activity you both want to do and agree a time and place when you will next meet. This is a short informal meeting to get to know/meet each other before you make any decisions.
Will I get anything from volunteering? :
Yes!! You could get : - Experience for moving onto education or employment
- A feeling of doing something useful and worthwhile
- A reference for education or employment
- Access to ongoing training
- Ongoing support
- Meet new people
- Fun & Enjoyment!
What checks will be done?
We take up two references. These should be people able to make comment on you personally not necessarily work references.
We will also do an Enhanced Disclosure (police check). If you have convictions please discuss this with Project Staff
Gillian, Joan or Natalya
on 01382 227288 or
click on 'contact us' button at the top of the page