Community Support Befriending Volunteer – Lancaster

Community Support Befriending Volunteer – Lancaster

Make a difference through friendship and connection

We are currently recruiting a Community Support Befriending volunteer to support an older man living in the Lancaster area who would benefit from increased social contact and companionship.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys listening, chatting, and offering gentle encouragement to help reduce loneliness.

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.

What would you need to do?

The volunteer would offer:

• One visit per week (approximately 1–2 hours, with visits able to take place on any weekday or weekend
• Friendly conversation and companionship
• Gentle encouragement to:
  • Go for short walks, and/or
  • Attend communal or community‑based activities

What difference will you make?

The aim of this placement is to:

• Support the client’s wellbeing
• Reduce social isolation
• Help build confidence in social settings

The client is friendly and enjoys chatting but is currently experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Thank you for your interest in helping make a positive difference in someone’s life.

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