Befriender Volunteer Roles
Purpose of role:
With an ageing population, more and more older people are at risk of isolation and loneliness as partners and friends pass away, family members move away and the community around them changes at a fast pace. As a Befriender, you will become part of the solution to tackling the issues of isolation and loneliness by developing strong relationships with clients and encouraging them to engage in a variety of ways.
Main activities/tasks:
- Visit or call an older person once a week for around an hour
- Spend time getting to know them and understand what things they may like to do at home (e.g. chess, knitting, reading)
- Offer healthy and fun conversation and encourage them to talk
- Give support to enable them to get out in the community and encourage participation in activities
- Promote healthy living and wellbeing
- Accompany them on visits out of the home e.g. going for a walk, shopping
- Support them to find information
- Make monthly reports on visits carried out
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the Aspull area of Wigan for a volunteer Befriender. If you have a few hours to spare either during the week or at weekends and can commit to volunteering with us on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you!
We are looking for someone to meet with our service user in a befriender role, they particularly enjoy going for walks, listening to music and watching films. We are looking for a warm, chatty person who shares the same interests. If you are interested and would like to apply, you can do so via our website or get in touch for further info.
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Preferred time commitment: 3-5 hours per week.
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the Adlington area of Chorley for a volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare on a Wednesday or at the weekend and can commit to volunteering with us on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you!
Our service user enjoys going for walks in the local area including walking around the Rivington Reservoir, loves animals especially dogs, is currently learning to swim, and enjoys anything arty with colouring in a favourite hobby. We are looking for a female volunteer who is warm and chatty and would like to help our service user to explore the local community and enjoy her hobbies together. If you are interested and would like to apply, you can apply via our website or get in touch for further info.
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Suggested time commitment: A couple of hours on Wednesdays, or at weekends.
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the Jarrow area for a volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering with us on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you!
We are looking for a friendly, reliable male befriender who would like to meet up with our service user on a weekly basis on an afternoon during the week or at weekends. With access to a car we would like someone to accompany the young man on day trips, as well as going out for walks and visits to the gym. If you have an interest in singing and drama too that would be an added bonus!
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Suggested time commitment: 3-5 hours per week
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Help tackle loneliness and isolation in your Community. As a Volunteer Befriender, you will visit an older person in their own home once a week for a chat and to provide companionship.
Our Befriending service supports older adults by alleviating loneliness and isolation, supporting independence, and increasing self-confidence, by making weekly or fortnightly visits to a client living in the borough of Croydon.
We place emphasis on making the right match for you and the client to ensure an enjoyable and rewarding experience. One of the befriending team will work closely with you during the match process and accompany you on your first visit to introduce you to the client.
You will be assigned a line manager who will support and encourage you. We provide a befriending induction along with training and ongoing support to ensure that you are fully equiped and ready for what will be a rewarding and positive experience. Feedback from our clients and volunteers show the huge impact on wellbeing that an hour a week can make.
What will I be doing?
- Visiting an older person in their own home once a week maybe for a cup of tea and a chat.
- Providing companionship.
- Other activities mutually agreed by the Client and the Volunteer such as reading together and puzzles.
What we ask for:
- Good listening skills.
- An open-minded and non-judgemental attitude.
- An ability to maintain professional boundaries.
- Realiability.
- Willingness to adhere to Age UK Croydon's policies and procedures
Our mission is to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
MHA is the largest charity care provider for older people in the UK. Our mission is to inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life. MHA Moorlands is a Retirement Living Scheme offering a supportive and friendly community with purpose-built properties designed to help our residents maintain their independence.
As a Befriender you’ll support one of our male residents by visiting him regularly to bring friendship, company, and a chance to chat. The visits will also include shopping trips (access to own vehicle required) and going for walks.
Benefits for you:
- Help improve the quality of life for older people
- Help reduce loneliness and isolation
- Support your community
- Keep socially active
- Be part of a friendly team
Skills and qualities desired:
- Good communication and people skills
- Enthusiasm
- Patience, empathy and understanding of the needs of older people
- Reliable and punctual
- Clear sense of personal boundaries and ability to maintain confidentiality
- A willingness to engage with training and development
- A good understanding of your personal strengths and limitations
Times and Commitment:
- Monday-Friday- preferably around 11am however the time can be negotiated
- Each visit will last around 2 hours
- We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis for a minimum of 6 months
Training, support and requirements:
- You need to be aged 18 or over
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
- Proof of a clean driving licence, insurance cover and MOT
- Access to own vehicle
- A good driving safety awareness
- We will provide you with a full induction for the role
- Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role
- Ongoing support from a named contact
*Please note- we can only accept applications from UK residents*
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the East Finchley area of North London for a Volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you.
Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener?
Are you looking to help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community? Could you organise and source activities that align with our service-user’s interests, which include comedy and writing poetry?
Can you commit to learning Creative Support’s Safeguarding Procedure and be able to implement this if needed?
We are looking for a reliable, friendly, outgoing and supportive person who can join us as a Volunteer Befriender.
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Suggested time commitment: 2 hours a week.
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The role is for a Befriender in our Tenancy Sustainment Teams in the London Boroughs of Kingston, Richmond, Sutton, and Wandsworth and we’re now recruiting for volunteers. We would particularly like to hear from you if you live in or near the above boroughs.
The Tenancy Sustainment teams support people on their first steps from homelessness to independence – providing accommodation and support to assist people off the streets.
We work with people who are have experienced rough sleeping and, once accommodated, SPEAR then works with people on a housing pathway and assists them to link into various support services, tailored to the challenges an individual might face.
SPEAR is looking for self-motivated, outgoing, and empathic people who could volunteer to provide support to vulnerably housed, rough sleepers, or anyone using homelessness services in the London boroughs of Richmond, Wandsworth, Sutton, and Kingston.
The volunteer will enjoy developing positive relationships with new people and will be willing to work outside of their own comfort zone providing befriending support to the clients. The volunteer must have an enhanced DBS background check (SPEAR will apply for this on your behalf.)
It would be desirable if you had a driving license.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the Wallsend area for a volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering with us on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you!
We support a young man who is a huge Newcastle United fan, and a season ticket holder for St. James Park. Are you a member of the Toon Army who’d like to spend time talking about the new owners, a post-match run down of goals and missed chances, or if head coach Eddie Howe should be changing the line up? If so, apply via our website or get in touch for further info.
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Suggested time commitment: 3-5 hours per week
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
We would encourage you to apply to us even if you have not yet had your COVID 19 vaccine. You will be required to have your first COVID 19 vaccine prior to your interview and your second vaccine before you start volunteering with us. This time will be used to complete post interview recruitment checks. Applicants who are unable to receive the vaccination on medical grounds are still welcome to apply with provision of their official NHS COVID pass letter of medical exemption.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Hestia is looking for a Volunteer who is passionate and committed to help deliver support to people who struggle with their mental health. Do you want to be a part of helping to rebuild lives? We are recruiting for a befriender Volunteer for when people to provide social or practical help. It can take a number of forms such as mentoring, listening, education, informal group discussions or participating in a shared activity.
What you will be doing
- To maintain regular contact with our Service User, carrying out regular support and meetings with them.
- To encourage the Service User to develop their own support networks.
- To develop positive relationships, maintain boundaries and confidentiality
- To keep a time log and other monitoring information as requested by the Service.
The skills you need
- Good communication skills
- Friendly and calm nature
- Mental health experience who feels strong enough to help others
- Willingness to listen to people with a genuine enthusiasm to support others
- Confident, sympathetic and can inspire trust and able to maintain boundaries in a non-judgemental way
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for volunteers to join our team at Oakley, 4 High Street, Bedford at our residential care service for adults with Learning disabilities. If you’re a car driver with some spare time each week, join us in our Volunteer befriender role to take our residents on day trips.
We are looking for people who are committed, reliable, and friendly. You will need to be a confident driver with a full, clean driving licence.
Whether it’s a trip into Bedford town centre to enjoy a wander down the river, a cup of tea and a cake in the local cafes, a visit to the library, or leisure activities, or even a little bit further afield. If you can commit to volunteering with us once or twice a week we’d love to hear from you!
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Suggested time commitment: 2-4 hours a week.
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
Make an amazing difference in someone’s life through being a friendly face connecting them with the outside world, reducing isolation and loneliness and bringing a much-needed smile to their day.
Our award-winning Kilburn Good Neighbours scheme has been a lifeline for over 60s in Kilburn and West Hampstead for almost 25 years. Volunteers visit members regularly in their homes, building a relationship with them and working with the Kilburn Good Neighbours lead to communicate any additional needs they have. Some volunteers also support with odd jobs like shopping, escorting the member to the centre or DIY tasks. Training and induction is provided.
Qualities you need for this role
- Chatty, friendly, open-minded people, preferably living locally
- Able to maintain good boundaries
- Reliable, dependable and great at timekeeping
- This role requires an enhanced DBS check, which we will organise
When you'll be needed
- A minimum of 1 hour per week, for a minimum of 6-12 month
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Volunteers. As a Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others by providing support and assistance in various areas. This is an unpaid position that offers valuable experience and the chance to contribute to meaningful causes.
About the project and role
Prevention Matters help adults regain confidence, maintain independence and help them get out and about. The Community Support Workers support clients by finding help, signposting to other services, connect with others in the local community and provide encouragement to get involved in social events.
You can make a difference to people’s lives as a Prevention Matters volunteer by:
Increase or maintain social links such as attend local events, transport to coffee mornings
· Accompany clients on GP or hospital appointments
· Teach clients new digital skills such as email, Skype or how to search the web.
· Practical support in the garden or a spot of DIY in their home
· Assistance with hoarding disorder
· Support to a carer who is feeling isolated
Volunteers will have their traveling and out of pocket expenses covered. Opportunity to complete NVC National Volunteering Certificate and other in-house training.
At Connection Support we feel that nobody can do everything but everyone can do something so volunteering is flexible to suit you.
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds to join our diverse team, if you have any disabilities or health conditions, we will do everything we can to help you access this opportunity.
Please note that this is an unpaid volunteer position. However, it offers valuable experience, the opportunity to give back to the community, and the chance to make a difference in the lives of others.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about supporting people in your community? Would you enjoy supporting our service users by giving them an opportunity for social connections?
If so, we could do with your help. We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic Face to Face Befriender Volunteers for the Kensington and Chelsea area and would like to hear from you.
What you will be doing
- Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
- To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
- To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
- To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
- Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals
The skills you need
- Good listening and communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
- Willingness to engage in activities in the community
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our team of befrienders! You will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in your community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support people to relight a spark to continue a hobby, interest or encourage them to explore and participate in new social activities.
What you will be doing
- Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
- To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
- To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
- To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
- Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals
The skills you need
- Good listening and communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
- Willingness to engage in activities in the community
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.