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 volunteer befrienders to spend some time with our clients in and around Central London or to speak to them over the phone. Our current needs are in Tulse Hill, Stockwell, Annerley, and Stepney Green.Locations change as new referrals come in, so if you are interested in befriending and want to make positive difference to an older persons emotional well being, please contact us, we may have a client in your area!
Befriending is a simple way to make a positive difference to someone who feels alone, or is socially isolated. Your gift of time and companionship will give them, and you, something to look forward to. As one of our volunteers once said,“this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”
Meetings are regular, usually weekly or fortnightly, for at least six months although most of our volunteers stay involved for longer, only because they enjoy what they do! Phone calls can me made from any quiet space at your home or workplace.
You might visit a client in their home, or meet them in the community, chatting in coffee shops or talking while you walk - this really depends on what our client wants to do. Our clients are older Scots (60 plus) who simply want to do some of the activities that most of us take for granted.
We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters.
This could be an ideal opportunity gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting, or for anyonewho enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter.
Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must live in or around the London area for meetings, or in the UK for phone calls.
Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!
Skills & characteristics required for befriending are:
- Good communication and listening skills, English speaking
- Friendly, warm and non-judgemental
- Honest, reliable and committed
- Empathy
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries (covered in training)
An enhanced DBS check will be processed for successful applicants and two references are required.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
To improve the lives of Scots and the children of Scots in London
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!
Help older people claim welfare benefits through home visits, form-filling and friendly support.
About Us
Age UK Buckinghamshire is a local, independent charity and part of the wider Age UK Network. We support older people across the county through vital services including befriending, information and advice, dementia support, practical help at home, and welfare benefits support - helping people stay independent, connected, and supported.
Our work is more important now than ever. Many older people face growing challenges such as the rising cost of living, social isolation, and difficulty accessing support.
As demand for our services continues to increase, community support is essential to help us reach more people in need. By raising awareness of what we do, we can ensure that older people know where to turn for help, and inspire others to support our work through volunteering, fundraising, and partnership.
What do Welfare Benefits Volunteers do?
Help older people boost their income by becoming a Welfare Benefits Volunteer.
Many older people face financial difficulties because they are not claiming all the welfare benefits they are entitled to. At Age UK Buckinghamshire, we support older people to access the benefits they deserve by offering personalised advice and practical help.
Our trained volunteer advisors visit people in their own homes to guide them through the claims process, completing benefit forms on their behalf and ensuring applications reflect their individual circumstances.
Following full training, you will be matched with clients for one-off home visits, usually lasting one to two hours. Along the way, there’s often time for a friendly chat, and perhaps a cup of tea, while making a real difference to someone’s quality of life.
What skills does a Welfare Benefits Advisor need?
- Empathy and patience with older people
- A professional, friendly and approachable manner
- Attention to detail and good record-keeping skills
- A non-judgemental approach
- Willingness to learn about older people’s benefits
What training do we provide?
Successful applicants complete 2 training sessions covering the needs of older people and welfare benefits. At the end of this initial training, you will be “buddied” with one or more experienced volunteers, first as an observer and later as an advisor until you have the knowledge and confidence to undertake one-to-one visits.
How much time do we expect you to give?
Once trained, you can commit to as many or as few visits per week as you wish. Each visit takes, on average, about 1 – 2 hours. There are quarterly meetings that provide support and additional training days from time to time to keep up with new legislation.
What is our commitment to you?
- We will provide initial and ongoing training to help you develop your knowledge and skills.
- We will continue to support you in your role, providing information and advice as necessary.
- We will discuss with you any problems you may have with your role, or any concerns we have.
- We will reimburse reasonable, approved out of pocket expenses.
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!
Make a meaningful difference by becoming a friendly visitor for a gentleman in his early 70s who, while non-verbal, is active, engaged, and enjoys simple pleasures. He loves doing jigsaws, reading gardening magazines, and watching television. This is a “stop and stay” role where you’ll spend relaxed, quality time together helping with a jigsaw, sharing quiet moments, and offering companionship.
This is a Stop and Stay visit role, meaning that the person you’ll be visiting might have some verbal communication skills or they use sounds and/or facial/body expressions to communicate with you.fr
We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.
Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tend to be around half an hour to an hour long.
In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:
- Sitting and having a chat
- Checking in on their well- being
- A craft activity at home
- Reading a book/magazine together
As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:
- Friendly and approachable
- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
- Reliable and patient
- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.
As a Mencap visitor you will:
- Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
- Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
- Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
- Meet new people
- Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued
**About Mencap ** Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.
If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us
Registered Charity
More than 1000
Empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism to reach their full potential and lead the lives they choose.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.