Volunteer Community Befriender Needed – Lancaster

Volunteer Community Befriender Needed – Lancaster

Could you help someone take their first steps towards reconnecting with their community?

We are looking for a volunteer to provide community-based support to an individual who would benefit from encouragement to build confidence and independence when accessing their local community.

What Support Is Needed?

• Supporting the individual to develop confidence using local public transport – volunteer travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Attending community activities, groups, and events alongside the individual.

What We’re Looking For

A volunteer who is:

• Friendly, patient, and encouraging.
• Reliable and able to provide consistent support.
• Confident using public transport.
• Interested in supporting someone to achieve greater independence and social inclusion.

Commitment

• Approximately 2 hours per week.
• Once weekly.
• Flexible afternoons during the week or at weekends.

Make a Difference

This role offers the opportunity to help someone develop new skills, increase their confidence in the community, and access meaningful activities and social opportunities while working towards greater independence.

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