Befriending Volunteers Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Overview
Healthwatch Greenwich aims to provide a befriending service to support individuals in need of companionship and emotional support.
Our befriending service will pair clients with volunteers who will talk to them for up to an hour each week. This could be face to face, by telephone, or online.
Befrienders will signpost clients to wider activities as appropriate.
What You'll Do:
· You will be working closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to:
· Offer face-to-face, phone, or virtual befriending support for up to one hour per week for three months.
· Write befriending updates after each meeting.
· Collect demographic information.
· Attend monthly support sessions.
What You'll Learn:
· How to improve your communication skills.
· How to use active listening.
· How to find activities for clients.
· How to write client updates and gather demographic data.
We offer a comprehensive induction and training to support you to carry out this role please note all volunteers undergo reference and DBS checks.
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!
Volunteer - Homeline’s tele-befriending service!
Do you have an hour to spare each week? Want a simple remote volunteer role you can fit around your busy life?
Look no further! Homeline is a befriending project for older people in Hammersmith and Fulham.
We are looking for volunteers to remotely call a few isolated older adults per week. These calls make such a difference and are often the only phone call a person will receive all week!
A flexible role ideal for volunteers who work during the week and have less time to commit. Join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.
Get in touch, join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.
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!
Young People in supported housing age 16-24 - To provide social and practical support to customers.
Helping towards improving the life chances of people with experience of homelessness. Volunteers empower our customers to identify their existing strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. As a volunteer, you can support customers to achieve their full potential by developing new skills and accessing opportunities
Activities:
- Building an empathic and person-centred relationship with a young person who may be socially isolated or lack confidence.
- Provide opportunities for young people to become more self-confident, maintain contact with important people in their lives and build-up their social networks.
Practical activities could also include:
- Support young people on a weekly basis by accompanying them to appointments
- Escort the young people to nearby shops, outdoor spaces and other places in their local area
- Accompany the young people to areas of interest e.g. the gym, art classes, places of worship etc.
- Help the young people to build their confidence engaging in the wider community
Support for Volunteers:
- To attend four half days of training, receive an induction and have access to any other relevant in house and external training
- Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed
- Volunteers will have a check in with the Volunteering Officer every 3 months to ensure they are happy with the role and to resolve any issues
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. 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.
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!
Together Talks Telephone Befriending Service is looking for people who would like to join us in helping to provide support to as many people as possible during challenging times. Telephone Befriending has the potential to be an important aspect of the overall approach to helping the most isolated and lonely individuals in our society. Telephone Befriending can also benefit the volunteer befrienders who are similarly able to reengage with their community and may derive health benefits from regular volunteering. Our aim is to alleviate feelings of anxiety, loneliness and isolation that may be experienced by many people across our communities, by contact from a volunteer befriender. If you’re a friendly person who likes talking to people, then this is the role for you. This service aims to capture volunteers who have their own telephone. Ideally, you will have unlimited minutes on your personal mobile so the calls should not cost you anything.
What does a Volunteer Telephone Befriender do?
To telephone Befriendee’s at their home for around 10 -30 minutes. You will arrange the exact times of your future calls direct with the Befriendee’s. This could range from once a day to once a week, but individual needs will be matched with your availability
To provide a telephone conversation, a listening ear and chat about interests and hobbies, helping to alleviate loneliness and feelings of isolation.
To provide companionship and human interaction at a time when this may be limited.
To provide an update after each call to the Together Talks support Team. This is so we can keep a track of the amount of befriending calls each volunteer is undertaking, the type of support being offered during these calls and if there is anything further required.
It is important to note telephone befriending is not counselling or therapy and other services must be sought if this is required.
Benefits
- Free DBS.
- Discounted food.
- Store discount.
- Work from home.
- Above all you will be making a positive difference in your befriendee’s life.
- As a volunteer telephone befriender, you will learn how to support others, make friends, become more confident, and practice communication skills.
- You will gain new and transferable skills. We offer support for you to increase your own job-readiness and personal development.
- Training opportunities,
- Volunteering experience
- Detailed references will be provided.
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!
Volunteer with Rahab and be part of transforming women’s lives
Do you have a desire to help vulnerable women grow into a life in which they feel safe, free, whole and capable?
At Rahab we work towards seeing the lives of at risk and vulnerable women affected by prostitution and trafficking transformed, supporting those who are sexually exploited with unconditional acceptance, compassion and dignity to rebuild their lives and achieve their own identity and freedom. We provide learning and development opportunities for women to engage in and offer a supportive environment as they explore ways to self-determine their onward journey.
We are a dedicated team of professionals, facilitating casework support, counselling, wellbeing and learning. As a Rahab volunteer, you will gain valuable and unique insight into not only our work but also some of the wider factors that contribute to the exploitation and abuse of women in and across London. But most importantly you will play a part in the transformation we work towards in the lives of individual women. Find out more about us and our work on our website
Your contribution
We are looking for Volunteers for a range of activities including befriending, pastoral care, outreach, teaching ESL, casework, admin and counselling. It’s an exciting time to join our team as we are implementing steps to expand our work to support more women.
We need volunteers who are willing to help, with a caring approach and sensitivity to the challenges involved in this work. All volunteers will receive training. Volunteer Counsellors must be qualified to a minimum of Level 5 Diploma or Degree level and be a member of the ACC, BACP or UKCP, and will receive supervision.
Please note that commencement of volunteer activities is dependent on placement and necessary onboarding for specific roles.
Time committment will vary for each placement, dependent on requirements, but generally this would be between 5 to 10 hours per month.
How to apply
We are also happy to have an informal chat if you are interested and would like to know more about the range of our activities and how best you can be involved as a volunteer. Please be in touch with us and we can answer your questions or arrange to speak.
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!
At Staying Well we run a Telephone Befriending Scheme.
If you have up to an hour free once a week for 6 months then this could be the volunteer role for you!
This is what the Befriending Network say about befriending:
“Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone.
Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Around the UK, there are befriending projects which organise effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities and older people, amongst many others.
The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self confidence. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact.”
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!
Wellbeing Volunteer
Herriot Hospice@The Lambert & Local Community, North Yorkshire
Wellbeing volunteers are vital within the Wellbeing Network, in supporting people living with terminal illness, their families, and carers.
As we will soon be opening the doors of our new Herriot Hospice@the Lambert in Thirsk, we are looking to expand the number of Wellbeing volunteers to reach more people. The roles are varied and bespoke, to support the needs of individuals providing reliable social and emotional support to people wherever they need it.
Volunteer roles are designed to support both the patient or client, and their carer to live as well as they can with a terminal diagnosis.
To apply, please click on 'How to apply' .
Role Description
Through volunteering your time at Saint Michael’s and Herriot Hospice Homecare you are supporting those in our community at a time when they need it most. Volunteers are integral to our work; and we would love to welcome you to our team.
Wellbeing volunteer roles are delivered as below, however if you have a particular skill that you feel would support us, please get in touch.
- The Community Hub at The Lambert – our newest addition to our volunteer roles, providing support to patients, their families and anyone else that comes in, signposting to our services and offering a listening ear. This role will also work closely with the Food and Nutrition team in the hub.
- Sitting - simply staying with the patient, providing respite and empowering their carer to get out for a walk, appointments, or meeting friends.
- Befriending - simply being there, listening, supporting with isolation, accompanying the individual with their support networks in the community, going for a walk.
- Driving – to offer a short drive to medical appointments and to social groups , to pick up prescriptions for the inpatient unit .
- Groups – The Wellbeing Network has a range of social groups to offer the opportunity for people to come together to provide each other with social and emotional support. Volunteers are to welcome individuals, offer refreshments and a listening ear and support the wider team with collecting feedback about the support received.
- IPU – Volunteers to visit patients on the inpatient unit and offer some companionship, reading to patients, sitting with them to provide reassurance, or helping with activities.
- Armed Forces - The service also provides befriending support to veterans who have served in the Armed Forces.
Volunteering should be a mutually beneficial role, and we believe that consistency is important, so we hope volunteers will be able to support for 2-4 hours per week in whichever role you want to support in – we welcome applicants who want to combine different roles!
- Key Tasks
- Offering companionship and social support either in person or on the telephone.
- Accompanying the person on a walk or other social activity, for example visit a café.
- Support the person with an activity like shopping, carry out some gardening or a light household task.
- Driving someone to an appointment, for example a medical appointment.
- Sitting with a person with a terminal diagnosis to allow their family member or carer to leave the house for a short period or time, for example to allow them to go shopping, attend a medical appointment, have a break or another essential appointment.
- We will ask for feedback about the service and this will be in the form of questionnaires for the client, carer and volunteer this will enable us to plan any further developments to the service.
NB: volunteers may use their own vehicles where appropriate – after notifying their insurance provider and providing a copy of their driving licence
Tasks are not to include (more detail will be given during the training programme):
- Assisting the person whilst they are using the toilet, dressing, showering (this is considered personal care)
- Giving the person their medication or assisting with their oxygen
- Nursing tasks
It is essential that volunteers adhere to the role description, undertake appropriate tasks only and are clear about the boundaries of this role. If volunteers are unsure about any task they have been asked to carry out, they should contact their line manager for advice. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and volunteers.
Overarching responsibilities
- To embed the values of the organisation into your working practices, evidencing this regularly and ensuring this remains a priority.
- To live out our values, which drive all that we do, in the context of your everyday work following our behaviour framework.
- To work in accordance and fully comply with our organisational policies and procedures.
- To carry out all duties in accordance with the law, regulations, organisational frameworks, recognised professional guidelines and the have a commitment to FREDIE, integration and collective decision making.
Throughout your time with us we will conduct ongoing employment checks and performance reviews relevant to your role, for example professional registration checks, DBS, appraisals and regular contact meetings.
- Person Specification
Is this the right role for you?
You will be:
- Sensitive and empathetic
- Friendly and approachable
- Confident in your ability to undertake a role that may be emotionally challenging at times.
- Happy working as part of a team, but also happy to work independently
- Confident in following the boundaries of the role
- Strict adherence to confidentiality.
- Confident in escalating any concerns.
We will:
- Provide a key contact who will be contactable at any time during the working hours of (Mon-Fri 9:00-16.00). The key contact will offer responsive supervision if an issue arises during a visit or telephone call.
- Facilitate a monthly group supervision session with a member of the team; this provides an opportunity to for more structured supervision and to reflect with other volunteer visitors, and share your experiences.
- Provide regular one to one review/supervision– giving you the opportunity to reflect on the volunteering experience and receive feedback.
- Ensure you have all the training you need to feel confident in your role.
- Ensure any patient or client you interact with has an up to date risk assessment
- Communicate regularly and effectively with you to ensure you are empowered in your role.
- Provide an up to date suite of policies to support you in delivering your role.
Getting started and training:
- Interested candidates will be invited to a short interview, which is an opportunity for you and us to get to know each other and understand more about the role, and what an impact volunteering can have.
- We offer a thorough and comprehensive training programme, with elements of face-to face and online training, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake these roles, with yearly updates.
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken before commencing volunteering.
- Attendance at group supervision on a monthly basis.
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!
Can you help with providing a welcoming reception service to visitors and callers to Age UK BRWF's Windsor Street (Bromsgrove) office?
Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest is seeking the support of friendly and organised volunteers at its Windsor Street office to:
- Meet and greet visitors to the office
- Answer the telephone (referring to the appropriate person or taking messages)
- Support members of the team with simple administration tasks (e.g. booking appointments, photocopying, preparing post for mailing, updating databases etc.)
- Have an understanding of the services and support provided by Age UK BRWF and convey this in a positive manner when speaking to people
Personal qualities and experience most suited to this role:
- Friendly and approachable, with good interpersonal and communication skills
- Patient and flexible
- Experience of answering Telephones and using IT
- Able to use their initiative and also be part of a team
- Understands the need for confidentiality
- Willingness to undertake training and work within Age UK BRWF’s guidelines and policies (including Data Protection)
How much time is involved?
- Regular commitment of 3 hours a week (10am-1pm, Monday – Thursday)
What you can expect from us?
- We will make sure that you receive appropriate training for the role and that you have the support of a member of staff. We offer a range of benefits to our volunteers and will also cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses
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!
Volunteer - Homeline befriending project
Homeline is a befriending project for older people based in Hammersmith and Fulham.
If you have an hour or two to spare each week and befriend an isolated person in their own home we would love to hear from you.
You could provide companionship or accompanying someone outdoors to assist them to remain independent in the community and help them avoid becoming housebound.
Join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just patience, and an ability to get on with people from different backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.
What is a Visitor?
SSAFA Visitors provide support to isolated people living at home or in residential care. Whilst a friendly chat about the old days over a cup of tea is an important aspect of the role you will also be able to recognise any other support needs and explore how to link your client into their local community.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
With the gift of time and a listening ear you can improve someone’s quality of life for far longer than the hour or so you might spend with them. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us to help more people!
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need a driving licence and access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or elsewhere.
Some volunteers will visit more people than others. Whilst you will visit a client on a regular basis for a period, you will not be developing the kind of relationship where you would provide personal care, handle money or support someone in an emergency. SSAFA can help clients to arrange other types of support if needed.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting clients and arranging to meet them regularly at their home or care home for uninterrupted conversation.
- Letting the divisional secretary know of any concerns for your or the client’s safety.
- Arranging for a SSAFA caseworker to assess the client for other support as required.
- Chatting, making a cup of tea, playing cards, looking at photo albums, military mementos etc
- Helping your client to think about ways to reduce their isolation and support them to put these into practice.
- Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and Data Protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.
What could you gain from this volunteering role?
- Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time, and empathy.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, friendship, and befriending. This training would take approx. 4 hours.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Local Induction
- Access to the Volunteer Support Team based at our central office.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable people with good listening skills, patience, and a cheerful attitude
- Good spoken English
- Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
- Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to friendship, finances etc.
- Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep regular appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely (within SSAFA policies)
- Willingness to travel by public transport or car to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer This role requires an enhanced check.
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just patience, and an ability to get on with people from different backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.
What is a Visitor?
SSAFA Visitors provide support to isolated people living at home or in residential care. Whilst a friendly chat about the old days over a cup of tea is an important aspect of the role you will also be able to recognise any other support needs and explore how to link your client into their local community.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
With the gift of time and a listening ear you can improve someone’s quality of life for far longer than the hour or so you might spend with them. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us to help more people!
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need a driving licence and access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or elsewhere.
Some volunteers will visit more people than others. Whilst you will visit a client on a regular basis for a period, you will not be developing the kind of relationship where you would provide personal care, handle money or support someone in an emergency. SSAFA can help clients to arrange other types of support if needed.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting clients and arranging to meet them regularly at their home or care home for uninterrupted conversation.
- Letting the divisional secretary know of any concerns for your or the client’s safety.
- Arranging for a SSAFA caseworker to assess the client for other support as required.
- Chatting, making a cup of tea, playing cards, looking at photo albums, military mementos etc
- Helping your client to think about ways to reduce their isolation and support them to put these into practice.
- Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and Data Protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.
What could you gain from this volunteering role?
- Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time, and empathy.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, friendship, and befriending. This training would take approx. 4 hours.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Local Induction
- Access to the Volunteer Support Team based at our central office.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable people with good listening skills, patience, and a cheerful attitude
- Good spoken English
- Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
- Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to friendship, finances etc.
- Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep regular appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely (within SSAFA policies)
- Willingness to travel by public transport or car to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer This role requires an enhanced check.
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just patience, and an ability to get on with people from different backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.
What is a Visitor?
SSAFA Visitors provide support to isolated people living at home or in residential care. Whilst a friendly chat about the old days over a cup of tea is an important aspect of the role you will also be able to recognise any other support needs and explore how to link your client into their local community.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
With the gift of time and a listening ear you can improve someone’s quality of life for far longer than the hour or so you might spend with them. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us to help more people!
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need a driving licence and access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or elsewhere.
Some volunteers will visit more people than others. Whilst you will visit a client on a regular basis for a period, you will not be developing the kind of relationship where you would provide personal care, handle money or support someone in an emergency. SSAFA can help clients to arrange other types of support if needed.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting clients and arranging to meet them regularly at their home or care home for uninterrupted conversation.
- Letting the divisional secretary know of any concerns for your or the client’s safety.
- Arranging for a SSAFA caseworker to assess the client for other support as required.
- Chatting, making a cup of tea, playing cards, looking at photo albums, military mementos etc
- Helping your client to think about ways to reduce their isolation and support them to put these into practice.
- Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and Data Protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.
What could you gain from this volunteering role?
- Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time, and empathy.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, friendship, and befriending. This training would take approx. 4 hours.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Local Induction
- Access to the Volunteer Support Team based at our central office.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable people with good listening skills, patience, and a cheerful attitude
- Good spoken English
- Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
- Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to friendship, finances etc.
- Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep regular appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely (within SSAFA policies)
- Willingness to travel by public transport or car to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer This role requires an enhanced check.
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.