Community Support Befriending Volunteer – Morecambe

Community Support Befriending Volunteer – Morecambe

We’re seeking a kind, compassionate, and engaging volunteer to offer supportive companionship to a female client living in the Morecambe area.

About the role

This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys walking outdoors. The client is a mother who has lost motivation to go out by herself and would like a friendship that can develop outside, including walking the client’s dog. The client has a very open mind on conversation and would like to talk and learn about any and all topics of interest.

Your support may include:

• Spending time chatting and offering relaxed companionship
• Accompanying the client outdoors as part of building motivation and consistency.
• Offering consistent weekly support for around 1–2 hours

Volunteer qualities

We’re hoping to find someone who is:

• A capable walker, comfortable around the client’s dog.
• A person who has many interests and topics of discussion.
• Able to commit to one morning or afternoon each week.

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.

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
• Friendly and approachable
• A good listener and conversationalist
• Patient and encouraging
• Reliable and committed
• Comfortable supporting someone to engage with community groups