Home visiting befriending volunteer volunteer roles

Befriend a housebound older person at their home near you in Coventry - any day or time, from 30 min/fortnight. You'll be carefully matched by shared interests & supported.

Befriending an older person in your local area takes just 30-60 minutes, fortnightly or weekly. It fits into your life, and you gain a new friend. You can learn more about Coventry life & history, and feel great that you've made a housebound older person feel less lonely. Volunteers and older people come from all backgrounds. They could take short walks, bake together, watch sport together, discuss literature, learn to crochet...

You will be carefully matched by your shared hobbies and interests, and logistical factors such as shared language, how close to home or work you'd like to be, and when you'd each like to chat. Support is available at any time, should you need it.

Visits can take place during evenings & weekends, though our most popular request is for daytime visits. We also offer telephone befriending. Volunteers must be 18+, but children can come along when accompanied. Dogs are welcome too!

Visits can simply include chat and a cuppa, or can involve going for a short walk together, doing crafts, playing games, gardening together, or watching sport. It's up to you!

We are delighted to have secured funding to deliver a 24-month befriending programme. This exciting opportunity will support the delivery of our ambitious five-year strategy by: 

• Promoting Independence - ensuring more older people can stay independent for longer 

• Providing Connection - enabling friendship and social connection for olderPeople 

The befriending service will be provided through 2 different strands which aim to support older people in different ways based on the needs identified via an assessment. 

Clients will enter the strand that is most appropriate to their needs.

• Strand A: We will offer a local face-to-face service of up to 1 hour for 26 weeks. Strand A provision would be appropriate for older people who have experienced a recent life event, such as a hospital admission, bereavement or home move and who need time limited support and guidance to connect with suitable services and activities.

• Strands B: We will offer ongoing support either face-to- face of up to 1hour or by telephone between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Strand B provision is for older people leaving Strand A that require long term support or for those who are identified as needing ongoing face-to-face or local telephone befriending support on entry to theprogramme. 

Purpose of Role 

• Arrange and carry out assessment for new service users within the befriending service using the Guided Conversation approach, in order to gather appropriate information about the older person, their needs, and what a befriender will be expected (and not expected) to do. 

• Ensure that the person wants a befriender, has given consent, confidentiality has been discussed, and the person is able and willing to join the service. 

• Ensure that volunteers and service users are well-matched and that the service runs safely, effectively, and in line with organisational standards. 

Key Tasks 

• Carry out a needs assessment for new service users referred to the befriending service. It could be a telephone-based discussion or review of a referral form or a home visit. 

• Gather key information such as visit preferences, activity interests, potential risks, and any unmet needs. 

• Complete assessment forms and input information into the online database 

• Refer service users to other services where appropriate 

• Match service users with suitable volunteer befrienders 

• Introduce befriender and service user, and carry out a 6-week review with both parties 

• Maintain accurate records and liaise with staff throughout the process 

Skills and attributes Required 

• Good communication skills with a friendly approachable manner. 

• Confident using IT 

• Empathy and understanding of older people. 

• Understanding loneliness and social isolation. 

• Consistency and reliability.

• Understanding of Confidentiality. 

• Understanding of and empathy with the needs of older people. 

• Patience and Sensitivity. 

• Confidence to deal with emergencies. 

• Record keeping.

• Ideal for students studying Health & Social Care, though open to all. 

Support Provided 

• You will be inducted in cohorts with other volunteers. 

• Training for the role is provided including Safeguarding, Making Every Contact Count, Sexual Harassment and Building a positive volunteering experience and other more. 

• Ongoing support including regular supervision by the Volunteer Manager. 

• Goup supervision with other volunteers. Groups supervision is a safe place where you can share experiences, challenges, and successes, process emotion and learn from each other. 

• Reimbursement of agreed expenses.

• Access to an AGE UK Discount portal provided by Aon.  

• Monthly volunteer newsletter. 

• We hold an annual Volunteer Award event where we celebrate and recognise the contribution of our Volunteers! 

• Access to in-house training opportunities 

• You will receive supervision and support throughout your course placement from your named supervisor 

Benefits 

• Make a Real Difference: Have a direct impact on the lives of Making a Difference: Volunteering allows you to have a tangible impact on someone's life, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Helping older people can provide a strong sense of accomplishment and purpose. 

• Emotional Rewards 

• Intergenerational Connections 

• Learning and Skill Development 

• Enhancing Career Prospects 

• Building Empathy and Compassion 

• Giving Back to the Community 

• Social and celebration events 

• Placement Support: Ideal for Health & Social Care students—gain placement hours with supervision and guidance from a named supervisor 

• Insight into Care Needs. 

Commitment 

• We expect a minimum of 6 months commitment but would ideally prefer more of a longer-term commitment.

• Weekly commitment 2 to 3 hours.

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.

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.

We are delighted to have secured funding to deliver a 24-month befriending programme. This exciting opportunity will support the delivery of our ambitious five-year strategy by:

- Promoting Independence - ensuring more older people can stay independent for longer

- Providing Connection - enabling friendship and social connection for older People

The befriending service will be provided through 2 different strands which aim to support older people in different ways based on the needs identified via an assessment. Clients will enter the strand that is most appropriate to their needs.

- Strand A: We will offer a local face-to-face service of up to 1 hour for 26 weeks. Strand A provision would be appropriate for older people who have experienced a recent life event, such as a hospital admission, bereavement or home move and who need time limited support and guidance to connect with suitable services and activities.

- Strands B: We will offer ongoing support either face-to- face of up to 1 hour or by telephone between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Strand B provision is for older people leaving Strand A that require long term support or for those who are identified as needing ongoing face-to-face or local telephone befriending support on entry to the programme. As a befriender you will be asked to select your type of volunteering preference.

Purpose of Role 

• Provide companionship, emotional support, and a listening ear to people who may be lonely or isolated. 

• Provide monthly reports to the Volunteer Manager on your client. 

Key tasks 

• Make a regular weekly visit or phone call to a client who has been matched to you, at a time suitable to the older person.

• Provide conversation and company. 

• Spend time chatting with the client, talking with them about their current and past life experiences. 

• Report any emerging issues or concerns that the older person has agreed to be shared with us such as safeguarding issues or a change in personal circumstance or health. 

• Make the client aware of any other services across AUKEL they may benefit from. 

• Maintain records of client contact and send this to the Volunteer Manager on a monthly basis. 

• Regularly meet with your befriending peers and supervisor, to share experiences, get support and reflect. 

Skills and attributes 

• Understanding loneliness and social isolation. 

• Good communication skills with a friendly approachable manner. 

• Keen on building a strong befriending relationship. 

• A desire to learn more about an individual and their interests and their past, and life history. 

• Consistency and reliability.

• Understanding of Confidentiality. 

• Understanding of and empathy with the needs of older people. 

• Patience and Sensitivity. 

• Confidence to deal with emergencies. 

• Record keeping.

• Basic IT skills. 

Support Provided 

• You will be inducted in cohorts with other volunteers. 

• Training for the role is provided including Safeguarding, Making Every Contact Count, Sexual Harassment and Building a positive volunteering experience and other more. 

• Ongoing support including regular supervision by the Volunteer Manager. 

• Goup supervision with other befrienders. Groups supervision is a safe place where you can share experiences, challenges, and successes, process emotion and learn from each other. 

• Reimbursement of agreed expenses.

• Access to an AGE UK Discount portal provided by Aon.  

• Monthly volunteer newsletter 

We hold an annual Volunteer Award event where we celebrate and recognise the contribution of our Volunteers! 

Benefits 

• Making a Difference: Volunteering allows you to have a tangible impact on someone's life, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Helping older people can provide a strong sense of accomplishment and purpose. 

• Emotional Rewards 

• Intergenerational Connections 

• Learning and Skill Development 

• Enhancing Career Prospects 

• Building Empathy and Compassion 

• Giving Back to the Community 

• Social and celebration events 

Commitment 

• We expect a minimum of 6 months commitment but would ideally prefer more of a longer-term commitment.

• Weekly commitment is between 30 minutes to 1 hour for client plus one/two hours monthly for reporting. 

Make a difference by providing company and conversation to an older person in Croydon. 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.

Befriender - In Person

Duties:
• Providing companionship to clients in their home, sharing a cup of tea
• Other activities mutually agreed by both the volunteer and client, such as reading together, or helping with post, and within the Befriending Programme’s guidelines
• Maintaining records of client visits and sending those to the Befriending Coordinator on a regular basis
• Accompanying client out for a walk or to the shop if they are sufficiently able
• Accompanying client to weekly activities or social clubs to support client’s
independence
• Escorting clients to GP/hospital appointments as needed
• Adherence to Age UK Croydon’s policies and procedures, including Confidentiality and Safeguarding
Skills Required:
• Good listening and communication skills
• An open-minded and non-judgemental attitude
• An understanding and awareness of issues faced by older adults
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Befriender - Telephone

Duties:
• Providing companionship to clients by telephone for a chat
• Maintaining records of telephone calls to clients and sending those to the Befriending
Coordinator on a regular basis

Skills Required:
• Good listening and communication skills
• An open-minded and non-judgemental attitude
• An understanding and awareness of issues faced by older adults
• Adherence to Age UK Croydon’s policies and procedures, including Confidentiality and
Safeguarding
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries