Volunteer Befrienders Volunteer Roles

We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the Adlington area of Chorley for a volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare on a Wednesday or at the weekend and can commit to volunteering with us on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you!

Our service user enjoys going for walks in the local area including walking around the Rivington Reservoir, loves animals especially dogs, is currently learning to swim, and enjoys anything arty with colouring in a favourite hobby. We are looking for a female volunteer who is warm and chatty and would like to help our service user to explore the local community and enjoy her hobbies together.  If you are interested and would like to apply, you can apply via our website or get in touch for further info.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.

Suggested time commitment: A couple of hours on Wednesdays, or at weekends.

Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.

We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the East Finchley area of North London for a Volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener?

Are you looking to help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community? Could you organise and source activities that align with our service-user’s interests, which include comedy and writing poetry?

Can you commit to learning Creative Support’s Safeguarding Procedure and be able to implement this if needed?

We are looking for a reliable, friendly, outgoing and supportive person who can join us as a Volunteer Befriender.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.

Suggested time commitment: 2 hours a week.

Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.

Prevent loneliness and isolation in your community become a befriender.

We all need a helping hand or listening ear – sometimes more so due to health, isolation or recovery following an operation

Connection Support is a local charity and we are looking for volunteer befrienders to support our Prevention Matters clients in Buckinghamshire.

Prevention Matters help adults regain confidence, maintain independence and help them get out and about. The Community Support Workers support clients by finding help, signposting to other services, connect with others in the local community and provide encouragement to get involved in social events.

You can make a difference to people’s lives as a Prevention Matters volunteer by:

• Increase or maintain social links such as attend local events, transport to coffee mornings

· Accompany clients on GP or hospital appointments

· Teach clients new digital skills such as email, Skype or how to search the web.

· Practical support in the garden or a spot of DIY in their home

· Assistance with hoarding disorder

· Support to a carer who is feeling isolated

Volunteers will have their traveling and out of pocket expenses covered. Opportunity to complete NVC National Volunteering Certificate and other in-house training.

At Connection Support we feel that nobody can do everything but everyone can do something so volunteering is flexible to suit you.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds to join our diverse team, if you have any disabilities or health conditions, we will do everything we can to help you access this opportunity.

We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the Harpurhey area for a Volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener?

Are you looking to help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community? Maybe going for walks, or, trips to a local café.

Can you commit to learning Creative Support’s Safeguarding Procedure and be able to implement this if needed?

And, most importantly are you a big football fan, preferably Man City! Do you know who scored the most goals last season and which player is up for transfer? Are you interested in plane spotting? We have a gentlemen who is new to the area and requires support to help him get to know the local area and to explore what activities he is interested in as well as accessing community groups to build on his social network.

We are looking for a reliable, friendly, outgoing and supportive person who can join us as a Volunteer Befriender.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.

Suggested time commitment: 2-4 hours per week

Can you commit to any of the following days and times?:

- Monday 3pm-8pm

- Tuesday 3pm-8pm

- Thursday 3pm-8pm

- Saturday or Sunday

Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.

Prevent loneliness and isolation in your community become a befriender.

We all need a helping hand or listening ear – sometimes more so due to health, isolation or recovery following an operation

Connection Support is a local charity and we are looking for volunteer befrienders to support our Prevention Matters clients in Buckinghamshire.

Prevention Matters help adults regain confidence, maintain independence and help them get out and about. The Community Support Workers support clients by finding help, signposting to other services, connect with others in the local community and provide encouragement to get involved in social events.

You can make a difference to people’s lives as a Prevention Matters volunteer by:

• Increase or maintain social links such as attend local events, transport to coffee mornings

· Accompany clients on GP or hospital appointments

· Teach clients new digital skills such as email, Skype or how to search the web.

· Practical support in the garden or a spot of DIY in their home

· Assistance with hoarding disorder

· Support to a carer who is feeling isolated

Volunteers will have their traveling and out of pocket expenses covered. Opportunity to complete NVC National Volunteering Certificate and other in-house training.

At Connection Support we feel that nobody can do everything but everyone can do something so volunteering is flexible to suit you.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds to join our diverse team, if you have any disabilities or health conditions, we will do everything we can to help you access this opportunity.

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

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.

MHA is the largest charity care provider for older people in the UK. Our mission is to inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life. MHA Moorlands is a Retirement Living Scheme offering a supportive and friendly community with purpose-built properties designed to help our residents maintain their independence.

As a Befriender you’ll support one of our male residents by visiting him regularly to bring friendship, company, and a chance to chat. The visits will also include shopping trips (access to own vehicle required) and going for walks.

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Help reduce loneliness and isolation
• Support your community
• Keep socially active
• Be part of a friendly team

Skills and qualities desired:

• Good communication and people skills
• Enthusiasm
• Patience, empathy and understanding of the needs of older people
• Reliable and punctual
• Clear sense of personal boundaries and ability to maintain confidentiality
• A willingness to engage with training and development
• A good understanding of your personal strengths and limitations

Times and Commitment:

• Monday-Friday- preferably around 11am however the time can be negotiated
• Each visit will last around 2 hours
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis for a minimum of 6 months

Training, support and requirements:

• You need to be aged 18 or over
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
• Proof of a clean driving licence, insurance cover and MOT
• Access to own vehicle
• A good driving safety awareness
• We will provide you with a full induction for the role
• Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role
• Ongoing support from a named contact

*Please note- we can only accept applications from UK residents*

At MHA Communities East Surrey we support older people to live independently in their own homes and communities. We offer a variety of social activities and services for people aged 55 and over. We currently need Befrienders in Reigate, Horley, Banstead, Redhill and surrounding areas.

Some of our MHA community members are socially isolated and feeling lonely. As a Befriender you’ll be matched with a member and visit them regularly in their own home to bring friendship, company, and a chance to chat. You may also offer practical support such as; reading a newspaper or their favourite book or accompany the member shopping or to a recreational activity.

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Help reduce loneliness and isolation
• Support your community
• Keep socially active
• Be part of a friendly team

Skills and qualities are needed:

• Good communication and people skills
• Enthusiasm
• Patience, empathy and understanding of the needs of older people
• Reliable and punctual
• Clear sense of personal boundaries and maintain confidentiality
• A willingness to engage with training and development
• A good understanding of your personal strengths and limitations

Times and Commitment:

• Days and times are flexible and are based on your availability and the needs of the member.
• Each visit last around 1-2 hours
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis
• We ask that you make a minimum of six months commitment to this role

Training, support and requirements:

• You need to be aged 18 or over
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
• We will provide you with a full induction for the role
• Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role as appropriate
• Ongoing support from a named contact
• Out of pocket expenses in accordance with MHA’s Expenses Policy

*Please note- we can only accept applications from volunteers who currently live in the UK

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.

​

Cecil Gardens is a large service containing ninety-nine apartments, close to the city centre of Hull and easily accessible by public transport. The service supports adults with a wide variety of needs including Over 18s, Mental Health needs, Older People, Learning Disabilities and Autism. Our service users live in self-contained apartments and have access to several communal spaces, including a restaurant, a hairdressers and a spa.

We are currently looking for volunteer befrienders at our Cecil Garden service in Hull, if you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a regular basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener? We are looking for befrienders who can help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community. Maybe going for walks, trips to a local café, or, supporting somebody to attend their appointments.

Our volunteer befrienders will also encourage people to connect to our internal community here at our service, which includes a wide variety of activity sessions held in several communal spaces on site. As part of our Wellbeing service we are hoping to build a community amongst our Service Users and you will visit service users in their flats and encourage people to join in our activities and take part in events held here.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer support network group on Zoom.

We are a passionate, inclusive and anti-racist organisation. We embrace diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. As a Disability Confident Employer we welcome applications from people with a disability, and as a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion we actively encourage applications from the LGBT+ community.

Volunteer Role Description

Connection Support provides a breadth of specialist support services to a range of people facing complex life challenges.  The support covers housing support, homelessness, isolation, money management, mental health and drug and alcohol abuse. Often service users have multiple issues which means our work with them is all encompassing.

Volunteer Befriender/supporter

Role Summary:  To provide continuation of support for a defined period following closure of clients from our mental health services in Oxfordshire. This is where the client has expressed a need for ongoing support but the planned tasks with the support worker have been completed.  Volunteers will provide a range of support including an agreed programme of telephone contact, support and attending appointments with clients, and other tasks relevant to that individual’s needs.  This may include helping to develop and maintain social networks which for many were negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Outline of Duties:

1. To assist clients to meet their support needs, including:

• Supporting clients for a period of time and regularity based on mutual agreement, at times and locations that meet clients’ needs
• Providing information and assistance to clients to enable them to develop their social network and participate in the community
• To provide company and friendship, assist with shopping, go for a walk, and share activities of common interest – anything which makes life more enjoyable.
• Support to manage appointments including attendance with clients where appropriate.
• Other tasks relevant to the client’s needs as agreed with Connection Support.

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.”

Volunteer Role Description

Connection Support provides a breadth of specialist support services to a range of people facing complex life challenges.  The support covers housing support, homelessness, isolation, money management, mental health and drug and alcohol abuse. Often service users have multiple issues which means our work with them is all encompassing.

Volunteer Befriender/supporter

Role Summary:  To provide continuation of support for a defined period following closure of clients from our mental health services in Oxfordshire. This is where the client has expressed a need for ongoing support but the planned tasks with the support worker have been completed.  Volunteers will provide a range of support including an agreed programme of telephone contact, support and attending appointments with clients, and other tasks relevant to that individual’s needs.  This may include helping to develop and maintain social networks which for many were negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Outline of Duties:

1. To assist clients to meet their support needs, including:

• Supporting clients for a period of time and regularity based on mutual agreement, at times and locations that meet clients’ needs
• Providing information and assistance to clients to enable them to develop their social network and participate in the community
• To provide company and friendship, assist with shopping, go for a walk, and share activities of common interest – anything which makes life more enjoyable.
• Support to manage appointments including attendance with clients where appropriate.
• Other tasks relevant to the client’s needs as agreed with Connection Support.