We are looking for volunteers who live, work or study in the City of London and can give an hour of their time each week to support a vulnerable local resident who may be experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The role can involve weekly phone calls, home-visits to house bound residents or meeting a vulnerable resident at their door and supporting them to go out for a walk or a coffee. You will be able to choose one of the forementioned contact methods when you speak to us upon applying.
By becoming a Community Befriender you will help enhance the quality of a local resident's life by supporting and promoting their confidence, and helping them improve their health and wellbeing.
This resident you volunteer with might need support in one or more of the following areas:
- Social Isolation and Loneliness
- Confidence Building
- Physical Health/Mental Health
Your key tasks will include:
- Be an active listener
- Help build confidence and self-esteem
- Offer support in identifying and achieving goals and aspirations (such as going out for walks, or taking up a hobby)
- Develop and sustain a positive relationship with the individual
- Keep records for calls, provide feedback and ensure urgent issues are reported straight away
- Ensure own well-being, and check in regularly via individual or group supervision
You will receive a 90 minute training session, which will cover the responsibilities of a befriender, the referral pathways for befriendees, safeguarding concerns, maintaining personal boundaries, and active listening and empathy skills.
You will have monthly one-on-one check-in sessions with a member of the befriending team at VCH, as well as the possibility of attending monthly online peer support sessions facilitated by a Mind clinician.
To register your interest, please visit: https://www.vcconnectsystem.org.uk/HackneyVMS2/VolunteerOpportunities/DetailsForSearch/5353
All you need is an hour every week to check in with someone in your community who is vulnerable. We’ll match you with the right person, based on your interests, schedule, language, and whether you’d like to meet in-person, or speak on the phone or online. Join us, and help make sure people who are isolated or lonely feel valued.
Voluntary befrienders can expect to improve their people-skills, gain an understanding of and experience in the Health and Social Care sector, and improve their own well-being by supporting vulnerable residents and feeling part of their local community.
People with the following attributes are likely to thrive as befrienders:
- Friendly and approachable
- Non-judgmental
- Honest and trustworthy
- Excellent listening & communication skills with a sympathetic presence
- Reliable and have an understanding of mental health difficulties
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