Become Telephone Befriender with us. We have two different opportunities available (requiring multiple volunteers). The role of Befriender will have you supporting someone who is lonely or isolated, or someone who is an unpaid carer for someone else. Skills you will develop include: Communication, Listening, understanding the needs of individuals, information and signposting. Undertaking basic assessments/basic admin.
Benefits to self
This will be particularly suitable for those undertaking Health and Social Care studies. It will develop your self confidence, give you an insight into undertaking health and social care activities, improve your ability to 'assess' people's general wellbeing and needs, improve admin skills.
Benefits to others
Empathy and understanding, an opportunity to talk to someone about anything and everything, share interests, reminisce, contact with others, improved mental health and wellbeing.
Training available
Volunteer induction training includes reference to organisational policies, aims and values as well as basics for being able to undertake befriending activities (safeguarding, boundaries, confidentiality, managing difficult conversations, active listening skills, monitoring and evaluation, equality and diversity, Lone working, how to with hold a telephone number)
Transport details
Currently the majority of our befriending work is telephone based. Anything that is face to face is agreed for a suitable location between the volunteer and the befriendee.