Befriending volunteer roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Applicants must live in Watford, Hertfordshire (UK) or surrounding area.
Befriending Coordinator for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)
Job Summary: A befriending coordinator role is available WTRRP. Befriending is one of the longest running services at the charity and it has recently been reviewed so that volunteers and clients are receiving the best and most supportive experience possible. A coordinator is required to ensure the smooth running of the service and that the new Befriending vision and policy is carried out.
Principal Responsibilities:
● Be a point of contact to all Befrienders.
● Help with the organising and allocating of befrienders with befriendees, with the support of Casework Coordinator, in a timely manner.
● Encourage befrienders to empower clients and create a self-sufficient service.
● Communicate with befrienders and Casework Coordinators to determine whether the befriending relationship is suitable or needs to end.
● Raise any safeguarding issues immediately with the Safeguarding Lead and/or a member of the Committee.
● Develop a good, trusting and listening relationship with befrienders and remain in regular contact with them to ensure they feel supported in their time volunteering.
● Forward on any volunteers to the Emotional Support Counsellor, if needed.
● Liaise with others involved in the partnership such as Drop-In Volunteers, Casework Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator and Committee members.
● Be fully aware of, comply with, and promote, safe systems of work to protect the health, wellbeing and safety of all volunteers and clients whilst befriending.
● Work constructively as a team member to make a positive contribution with all volunteers from the Partnership.
● Attend bimonthly volunteer, coordinator meetings and casework meetings if required. All based in Watford and/or via Zoom.
● Facilitate frequent befriender meetings to create a supportive culture.
Requirements of the Role:
● 7-10 hours a week with some attendance on Tuesdays 11.30-1.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Watford.
● Empathetic, patient and well organised.
● Act as an ambassador for WTRRP and uphold its vision.
Skills:
● An ability to communicate effectively in writing, over the telephone, face to face and in an appropriate manner with volunteers and clients.
● Ability to work respectfully and modify behaviour in relation to volunteer’s and client’s different needs.
Desirable experience:
● Previous befriending experience.
● Previous volunteering experience.
● Experience of people management or of a people-facing role.
If you are interested in becoming a Befriending Coordinator and would like an application form please contact us.
If you want to have a chat about this role, please let us know and someone from the Partnership will contact you.
Send CV
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Why we need you
When children come to Acorns for day care activities and respite stays they enjoy a wide range of activities. The activities are fully inclusive for all our children, many of whom are non-verbal with multiple and complex disabilities. Our Befriending Volunteers are vital in helping staff provide fun, engaging and positive experiences for all our children during their stay in the hospice.
What you'll be doing
Befriending Volunteers engage with Acorns children by supporting them to play and have fun. Whether it’s helping a child to experience the Sensory Room or Soft Play area, enjoying messy time with arts and crafts activities, making some noise during a music session or sitting quietly reading a story, our Befriending Volunteers are at the very heart of what Acorns does.
Volunteering alongside our team of professional nurses, healthcare assistants and play workers, our Befriending Volunteers will enjoy:
- Sitting alongside our children helping them to engage in activities
- Reading stories and looking at picture books
- Playing games
- Helping set up and clear away arts and crafts and other activities
- Chatting and interacting with the children and care teams
How much time will it take?
Befriending Volunteers are asked to complete our online basic training and an in-person Befriending Training session which together take 4-5 hours to complete. Once trained, volunteering with us is flexible and you can choose the days/times that you help us, including early evenings and weekends.
We ask our volunteers for a commitment of a minimum of one session per fortnight and hope volunteers will stay with us for at least one year.
Am I right for the role?
Befriending Volunteers need to:
- Be welcoming and friendly with a warm and engaging manner
- Have good communication skills
- Be comfortable in a hospice setting, with children who may have complex disabilities and may be
- receiving end of life care
- Be sensitive to the needs of our children, young people and families
- Be reliable
- Be confident to be able to ask for advice, assistance and support when you’re volunteering at the hospice and not sure how to handle a situation
- Be willing to learn about the importance of confidentiality, boundaries and safeguarding within Acorns
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check for children (which we will pay for and process for you) and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references.
Help us to save the Children's Hospice Grant: Click here to find out more
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years?
Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month?
Do you live in Reading?
Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them?
If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.
You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.
WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?
- Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
- Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
- Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.
WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?
- Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
- Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
- Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
- Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
- DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.
Examples of activities can include:
- Sports
- Play football
- Cinema
- Bowling
- Go to the library
You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years?
Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month?
Do you live in Gloucestershire?
Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them?
If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.
You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.
WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?
- Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
- Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
- Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.
WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?
- Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
- Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
- Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
- Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
- DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.
Examples of activities can include:
- Sports
- Play football
- Cinema
- Bowling
- Go to the library
You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years?
Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month?
Do you live in Milton Keynes?
Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them?
If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.
You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.
WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?
- Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
- Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
- Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.
WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?
- Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
- Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
- Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
- Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
- DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.
Examples of activities can include:
- Sports
- Play football
- Cinema
- Bowling
- Go to the library
You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years?
Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month?
Do you live in South Gloucestershire?
Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them?
If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.
You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.
WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?
- Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
- Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
- Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.
WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?
- Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
- Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
- Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
- Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
- DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.
Examples of activities can include:
- Sports
- Play football
- Cinema
- Bowling
- Go to the library
You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our Linked Minds Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow due to a diagnosed mental health problem.
This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.
On successful completion of specialist mental health training, the Befriender is matched with someone suitable, by a Co-ordinator who then acts as a (non-clinical) supervisor for the befriending period, which is limited to a year. (Where applicable, this can count towards continuous professional development).
Befriender, client and supervisor make a plan together with a goal to work towards, and the Befriender makes a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity.
These visits make such a difference for the client, increasing their confidence and helping them explore and work towards getting a job, joining a club, meeting other people or whatever their goal may be.
The aim is that, by the end of the year, clients feel better about themselves, more valued, resilient, empowered, more linked to their community and better equipped for their journeys in recovery.
But volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.
As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.
This role is for UK residents only, and applicants are required to live in or very near the boroughs of Ealing or Hounslow.
After applying, volunteers will need to provide 2 character references and complete an enhanced DBS check (cost covered and organised by Linked Minds).
The check is carried out as part of our Safeguarding policy to protect our clients who are ‘vulnerable people’.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
BEfriend is a one-to-one volunteer befriending service, supporting socially isolated people in the London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our core Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia, and are sometimes housebound.
This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.
On successful completion of the training, Befrienders are matched with someone who lives close to them.
They make a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea or, where possible, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity.
These visits make such a difference for the client, but volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.
As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.
This role is for UK residents only, and applicants are required to live in or very near the boroughs of Ealing or Hounslow.
After applying, volunteers will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check (paid for and organised by BEfriend).
The check is carried out as part of our safeguarding policy to protect our clients who are ‘vulnerable people’
Registered Charity
11 - 20
BEfriend is a one-to-one volunteer befriending service, supporting socially isolated people in the London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you an Urdu speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!
Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Urdu-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By offering just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference by providing companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.
What is the Talking Bubble Project?
☎︎ A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular phone calls, you’ll have the opportunity to build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and provide much-needed emotional support—especially for those who feel more comfortable speaking Urdu.
Why volunteer with us?
✔ Support members of the Urdu-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a meaningful impact on someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Enhance your own sense of fulfilment and purpose
Requirements:
�� Volunteers must complete an online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—both fully paid for by the organisation.
How to get involved:
Simply apply here through the CharityJob’s website. No previous experience is required—just a friendly, compassionate nature and a willingness to listen.
�� Open to UK residents only.
Help us spread kindness and connection within the Urdu-speaking community across the UK!
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you an Albanian speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!
Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Albanian-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By offering just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference by providing companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.
What is the Talking Bubble Project?
☎︎ A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular phone calls, you’ll have the opportunity to build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and provide much-needed emotional support—especially for those who feel more comfortable speaking Albanian.
Why volunteer with us?
✔ Support members of the Albanian-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a meaningful impact on someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Enhance your own sense of fulfilment and purpose
Requirements:
✔ Volunteers must complete an online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—both fully paid for by the organisation.
How to get involved:
Simply apply through CharityJob’s website. No previous experience is required—just a friendly, compassionate nature and a willingness to listen.
✔ Open to UK residents only.
Help us spread kindness and connection within the Albanian-speaking community across the UK!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for an empathic person with good listening skills to facilitate our new group for blind and partially sighted veterans. You might be a veteran yourself but this isn’t essential. You’ll help the group run smoothly and the participants to feel comfortable.
This group will run fortnightly by phone.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Fortnight
Key requirements
- This role requires two references.
Home based
- This role is home based
Additional location information
-
The groups meet during the day from Monday to Friday.
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply and UK resident
What skills and experience are needed?
- Empathy with blind and partially sighted people. Good listening skills. Lived experience of serving in the armed forces and an ability to relate to other veterans. Ability to use the telephone to speak to people in a conference call.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Befriending Volunteer
You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wamdsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents.
Our Be-a-Friend service is one of our longest running services, matching people over 65, who live alone and have limited social contact, with a friendly local volunteer with similar hobbies and interests. The volunteer and their new friend set up a suitable time for them to meet each week for a chat and a cup of tea, which could be during the day, in the evening on the way home from work or even on the weekends . If you would prefer to volunteer from home, you can also be matched with an older person for telephone befriending. For many of our matched pairs, this is the beginning of a firm friendship.
Befriending Plus
Befriending Plus is an extended version of the Be-a-Friend programme, for individulas needing help with life admin and small tasks as well as companionship. For Befriending Plus pairs, time spent together can include helping to use a phone or tablet, helping the client to organise their file, going out for a coffee or popping to the post office together. This support can help older people to stay independent at home for longer, as well as increasing their confidence to do these tasks when the volunteer is not there.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to help older people to age well in Wandsworth.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you like to work at the frontline of suicide prevention?
At our sanctuary (Finsbury Park, North London) for those in suicidal crisis, we offer a potentially transformative experience with a once-only 4-night stay at our non-medical, family-style house. Through respite, time and space for reflection and compassionate and nurturing care, our Volunteer Befrienders and Lead Befrienders support an opportunity for the revival of hope and resilience.
Volunteer Befrienders are key to Maytree and work alongside Lead Befrieders to provide an open and containing space for people who are feeling suicidal. Befriending is as its sounds: sitting alongside our guests as a compassionate, confidential, and non-judgemental friend. Through active listening and human warmth our volunteers enable our guests to explore their feelings and their options in their own way and in their own time. This face-to-face support is not therapy; it is about being calm and committed and not afraid of difficult subjects, including suicide.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
To fill a gap in services for the acutely suicidal. Offering brief stay crisis support and engagement with non-medical, compassionate Befrienders.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for volunteers who can meet with our clients in and around Central London on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis for at least six months, longer if possible.
Your meetings might involve sitting and chatting in our clients home or going out together, for a walk, a talk in a coffee shop, for a wonder around the shops, or even visiting places of interest, museums for example.
Our clients are older 1st and 2nd generation Scots living in London who are lonely or socially isolated, and would benefit from regular companionship. Our service works across London, currently, we have clients waiting in Islington, Camden, Tulse Hill, Brockwell, Putney and other areas.
We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events newsletters and more!
Giving someone who is lonely, socially isolated, or needs someone to venture out with,the simple gift of time and companionship could make the world of difference to their emotional and physical wellbeing, As one of our Buddies said recently, “this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”
Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must be living in or around the London area.
Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!
Skills & Characteristics Required for Befriending are:
- Able to hold a good conversation and listen well
- Friendly, warm, non-judgemental
- Honest, trustworthy, reliable and committed to helping others
- Empathy and patience
- An understanding of the need to work within the framework of our policies and procedures.
We will process a DBS check for all successful applicants and request two references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
We’re looking for an empathic person with good listening skills to facilitate our new group for blind and partially sighted veterans. You might be a veteran yourself but this isn’t essential. You’ll help the group run smoothly and the participants to feel comfortable.
This group will run fortnightly by phone.