Befriending volunteer coordinator jobs in Battersea, greater london

Goal-Focused Befriending Coordinator

Organisation: Age UK Westminster
Location: Beethoven Centre, Third Avenue, London W10 4JL, with community and home visits across the City of Westminster
Hours: 21 hours per week (3 days, flexible)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,500 FTE per annum (pro rata)
Benefits: 7% contributory pension, basic health plan and Blue Light Discount Card

About the Role

Age UK Westminster is looking for a compassionate, organised and motivated Goal-Focused Befriending Coordinator to lead our structured befriending service for older residents experiencing loneliness, social isolation and reduced wellbeing.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting older people to identify personal goals, build confidence, strengthen social connections and improve their overall wellbeing. Using a strengths-based and person-centred approach, you will work alongside residents, volunteers and partner organisations to help people achieve greater independence and community engagement.

The role is based across our office, residents' homes and community settings throughout Westminster and combines direct client support, volunteer coordination, partnership working, safeguarding and service development.

What You'll Be Doing

As the Goal-Focused Befriending Coordinator, you will:

• Manage a caseload of older residents receiving structured, goal-focused befriending support.
• Complete assessments, support plans, reviews and outcome-focused interventions.
• Deliver support through home visits, telephone contact, guided conversations and community-based activities.
• Empower residents to identify goals, overcome barriers and build confidence and independence.
• Support approximately 100 residents each year to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing.
• Develop and coordinate a monthly Befriending Café to encourage peer support, social connection and community participation.
• Build strong partnerships with Westminster City Council, health services, voluntary organisations and community groups.
• Develop referral pathways that enable residents to access wider support services.
• Recruit, match, support and supervise befriending volunteers.
• Provide volunteers with guidance, regular supervision and ongoing support.
• Maintain accurate case records and monitor outcomes using recognised wellbeing measures, including:
  • Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)
  • Life Satisfaction Measures
  • Loneliness Scales
• Monitor project outcomes, contribute to funding reports and support continuous service improvement.
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and promote safe working practices at all times.
• Contribute to maintaining high-quality standards in line with Befriending Quality Mark principles.

About the People You'll Support

Many of the residents accessing our service:

• Experience loneliness and social isolation.
• Live with long-term health conditions or reduced mobility.
• May have memory difficulties or cognitive decline.
• Have experienced bereavement or significant life changes.
• Live with long-term mental health challenges.
• May face poverty, housing issues or limited support networks.
• Can present with complex emotional or safeguarding concerns.

You will provide compassionate, professional and empowering support while helping individuals achieve sustainable improvements in wellbeing and independence.

About You

We're looking for someone who has:

• Experience supporting older people, vulnerable adults or individuals with complex needs.
• Experience delivering wellbeing, community or outcome-focused support services.
• Excellent communication, listening and relationship-building skills.
• Experience using strengths-based, person-centred or motivational approaches.
• Knowledge of safeguarding adults and risk management.
• Experience working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations.
• Experience coordinating or supporting volunteers (desirable).
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied caseload.
• Strong IT, record-keeping and reporting skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• An understanding of community resources that promote independence and social connectedness.

Knowledge of Befriending Quality Mark standards or similar quality frameworks would be an advantage but is not essential.

What We Offer

At Age UK Westminster you'll receive:

• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training.
• Safeguarding and wellbeing training.
• Training in goal-focused and strengths-based practice.
• Regular supervision and management support.
• Opportunities for professional development and partnership networking.
• 7% contributory pension.
• Basic health plan.
• Blue Light Discount Card.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to help transform the lives of older people in Westminster by reducing loneliness, improving wellbeing and supporting people to build lasting social connections and greater independence.

If you're passionate about person-centred support and want to be part of a friendly and dedicated team, we'd love to hear from you.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy, please email your CV with a supporting letter (showing how you meet the personal specification).

Closing date: 31st July 2026 at noon. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be conducted before the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a suitable candidate be appointed.