Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow & Brent - Enabling Connections Befriender

The role in a nutshell:

You will work closely with an older person to help them set personal goals, build their confidence, and take practical steps to reconnect with their local community.

What will you be doing?

You will meet the older person you are matched with for 1 to 2+ hours a week over a period of up to 6 months to support them in working towards their goals. Depending on their individual action plan, you may:

• Visit them at home: Provide a regular, supportive social connection while helping them identify steps to overcome isolation.
• Act as a Community Connector: Accompany them on short walks, meet in a local café, or help them access local social groups, libraries, or physical activities.
• Support Goal Setting: Gently encourage them to build positive, sustainable connections and regain independence after a life challenge (such as a bereavement, illness, or hospital stay).
• Manage Boundaries and Endings: Work with the client to understand the time-limited nature of the support and help them prepare for the end of the 6-month intervention.
• Keep Accurate Records: Keep track of the client's progress, take brief notes after each session, and share weekly updates with your Programme Coordinator.

How would you be supported in this role?

We value our volunteers immensely and want to ensure you feel confident and safe in your role. You can expect:

• Comprehensive Training: A full induction and access to mandatory eLearning modules.
• Ongoing Supervision: Regular check-ins with your dedicated Programme Coordinator, plus access to volunteer meet-ups to share ideas and overcome barriers together.
• Clear Boundaries: A clearly defined voluntary role within the organisation with robust out-of-hours and emergency support procedures.
• Reimbursement: Agreed out-of-pocket expenses (such as local travel) will be fully reimbursed.
• References: We are happy to provide references for you after 6 months of active volunteering.