Volunteer Befrienders provide telephone or face to face support for lonely/isolated residents of Hartlepool who live alone, building their confidence to access social groups and get out and about in the community.

What You'll Do: 

Loneliness and isolation can result in a decline in an individual’s physical and mental health, which can result in risks to the individual’s safety such as the inability to self-rescue in the case of a fire.  If we can reduce loneliness and isolation, we can increase safety and reduce risk.   

 

Volunteer Befrienders telephone or meet with their matched person, typically on a weekly basis, with the aim of reducing loneliness and isolation and to improve their well-being.   

 

Initially, volunteers may be visiting clients in their home for a friendly chat over a cup of tea and will hopefully build to accompanying clients on short walks, outings or to attend local social groups. With the intention of building the client’s confidence to participate in these activities unaccompanied and perhaps eventually become volunteers themselves.

 

There is also opportunity for volunteers to support the Befriending Service in delivering activities for our clients to attend in the community.

Why You'll Love It: 
This is a great opportunity to support your local community and make a real difference to people's lives.  You will build new relationships, have access to training and support, and be able to develop your skills and experience for your future career.  References are available for future opportunities that you want to pursue.   
What You'll Learn: 
Volunteers will be required to complete induction training, which includes information on record keeping, professional boundaries and confidentiality.  Volunteers are also required to complete safeguarding training prior to being matched with a client.    This is also a great opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and experience in working with socially excluded members of the community.   
What We're Looking For: 
Potential volunteers must be able to provide a commitment of 1 hour per week minimum, ideally for a minimum of 1 year.  Volunteers must enjoy working with people, be a good listener, reliable, committed and caring, have excellent English language skills, and have the confidence to be able to support clients 1:1.    Potential volunteers will be required to complete the volunteer registration form, have a telephone or face to face interview, undergo a DBS check and provide 2 references in the application process. 
Summary
Volunteering
Community
Social Care
Older People
Disability
Health
Hartlepool
52 Weeks Minimum
1 Hours / Week
Skills you will develop: 
Active listening
Empathy
Interpersonal / Confidence
Requirements: 
DBS check
Over 18
Phone Interview
Training

Similar Opportunities

 
Christmas at Dobbies fundraising and collection evening
Teenage Cancer Trust
Min. weeks
Christmas at Dobbies fundraising and collection evening
Volunteering
Young People

Could you spare a few hours to support your local Dobbies Garden Centre with their fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust? Bring your enthusiasm to this Christmas-themed event.

 
PAPYRUS Champion
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
PAPYRUS Champion
Volunteering
Mental Health, Young People, Education, Health

We're looking for volunteers to support PAPYRUS in raising awareness of suicide prevention and the work we do, e.g. our helpline, HOPELINE247. Volunteers will be expected to raise awareness in their own local community e.g. Teeside Uni/Stockton

 
RNID Near you Volunteers - Middlesbrough
RNID
Min. 52 Weeks Minimum weeks
RNID Near you Volunteers - Middlesbrough
Volunteering
Community, Older People, Health

RNID Near You volunteer, Middlesbrough Help us offer a free, in-person drop-in service for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. 2 Hours per month minimum commitment

Related Articles

Volun-tees
Hannah Barstow - Psychology Graduate
Volun-tees
What Volunteering Reveals About You to Employers
Volun-tees
MAKE A DIFFERENCE Interior Design Project - The Salvation Army