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

 
BIFF History Makers Volunteer 2025 (Billingham)
Billingham International Folklore Festival Ltd
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
BIFF History Makers Volunteer 2025 (Billingham)
Volunteering
Community, Arts, Culture

We are looking for people to gather valuable memories and stories by talking to local residents about the Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary.

 
Appropriate Adult (AA) Volunteer
Teesside Mind
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
Appropriate Adult (AA) Volunteer
Volunteering
Mental Health

Act as an Appropriate Adult for people with mental health needs and/or learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities who are being detained in custody, ensuring fair treatment in accordance with PACE guidelines / legislation 1984.

 
Search page for volunteering opportunities
Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency
Min. weeks
Search page for volunteering opportunities
Volunteering

This will take you to a local infrastructure charity search page so that you can search for more volunteering opportunities in and around Middlesbrough.

Related Articles

Volun-tees
Angela talks about her experience working with the NHS
"Volunteering has given me some fantastic skills to add to my CV"
Volun-tees
Welcome to Volun-tees!
Welcome to Volun-tees – the University programme to help you make the most out of volunteering whilst at University. 
Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind Telephone Befriending
Celebrating Befriending Week at Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind