Befriending Team Volunteer

GoodGym Befriending Team Volunteer

We are looking for someone to provide general support for the GoodGym Befriending Team who pair runners with isolated older people for a weekly social visit. This is an exciting opportunity within a growing charity to help support the work we do with older people.

About GoodGym

GoodGym is a growing community of runners who get fit by doing good. We run to help older people instead of running nowhere on treadmills. We are expanding from our existing operations in London and Bristol to every city in the UK.

The older people that are referred to GoodGym for a weekly visit are referred to as the runner’s ‘coach’. The idea is that they play an important part in their runners fitness, providing them with the motivation and encouragement to go running and in sharing their wisdom and life experience.

What does the role involve?

The role will be providing general support for the GoodGym Befriending Team. The role will include:

• Helping to monitor current runner/coach pairs by contacting both older people and runners over the phone/email

• To escalate any issues raised by coaches/runners to the Befriending Coordinator

• Conducting telephone interviews with runners and coaches to help create promotional material and case studies

• Providing support with general enquiries about visiting a coach and the process of getting paired up

• To update GoodGym’s website and database with details regarding coaches and runners when required

• To assist runners in troubleshooting any issues with their DBS application form over the phone

• Administrative support for the pairing process and other duties when required

Location & commitment

This role will be based in our central office in Somerset House for 2 to 3 days a week. We ask for a minimum commitment of 3 months. You would receive lunch and travel expenses (London zones 1-6).

Personal qualities needed

• Excellent communication skills, especially over the phone

• Good administrative and organisational skills

• General understanding of issues affecting older people

• Friendly and approachable manner

• Non judgemental and open minded

Training & Support

• You will have full training to be able to perform the requirements of the role

• Support, advice and guidance from Befriending Coordinator including regular 1-1s

• Regular updates on organisational activities