Female Community Support Befriending Volunteer – Lancaster

Female Community Support Befriending Volunteer – Lancaster

Make a difference through friendship and connection

We are looking for a female volunteer to provide Community Befriending support to an adult living locally in Lancaster.

What support is needed:

• A weekly visit (approximately 2 hours)
• Offering companionship, conversation, and social support
• Helping to reduce feelings of loneliness
• Supporting confidence to engage in the local community

Why do we need Community Support Volunteers?

There are people in our local communities who require a supportive companion to help them. The benefits of their having regular meetings with a Community Support Volunteer helps to increase their confidence, resilience and independence to help tackle their social isolation and achieve specified and agreed goals and objectives.

Volunteer requirements:

• Comfortable around friendly dogs in the home
• No driving required – activities are local and walkable

Ideal for someone who:

• Enjoys chatting over a cup of tea or coffee
• Likes calm, one‑to‑one social activities
• Has an interest in art, gardening, or puzzles (helpful but not essential)

Criteria

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must have lived in the UK for 3+ years
• Commitment of 1-2 hours minimum per week / Flexible
• Minimum commitment of 6 months is required

This volunteering role is subject to a DBS check. To qualify you must have been a resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

• Applicants must be willing to go through an induction process with relevant background checks and an enhanced DBS check (This will be done free of charge)
• Once you have applied online one of our Volunteer Officers will be in contact to arrange your DBS

Tasks:

• To accompany the individual on a 1:1 basis in a community setting.
• To regularly support the individual to achieve agreed positive goals to promote their independence – The role is unique to every individual’s needs and circumstances
• To provide regular feedback on progress
• Volunteers must log their volunteering hours monthly and submit expenses where applicable via an online computer system
• To complete minimum level training e.g. Safeguarding and commit to further training relevant to role

Required Qualities:

• Understanding of vulnerability
• It would be an advantage to have an awareness of key issues – alcohol, drug abuse, mental health etc.
• Ability to use basic ICT systems
• Be able to deal with difficult situations in a professional manner
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to use own initiative
• Respect for equality and diversity