Age UK Waltham Forest - Enabling Connections Befriender Volunteer

The role in a nutshell:

Enabling Connections Befrienders offer companionship for isolated older adults in Waltham Forest, supporting them to increase their social connections and achieve their goals in life.

What will you be doing?

•    To visit an isolated older person in their home, supporting them to achieve a goal or goals which they have set for themselves. 
•    To support the older person to undertake new activities, go to new places and gradually increase their social connections. 
•    To help the older person maintain and/or regain their self confidence, allowing and encouraging them to do as much as possible themselves.
•    Offer social support, for example accompanying the older person to social events initially, and then encouraging the older person to attend on their own.
•    Help the older person think about their goal, and help them overcome any barriers, referring back to the Befriending Co-ordinator where necessary.
•    Keep the Age UK Waltham Forest Befriending Team informed of the older person’s general well being, any significant difficulties, incidents or concerns and the progress they are making towards achieving their goal(s).
•    Attend Induction and training 

How would you be supported in this role?

Induction - Attend a one-off induction training course of 2.5 hours.

Training – ongoing training.

Ongoing Support & Supervision - With a dedicated Befriending Team.