Female Community Support Befriender – Skerton, Lancaster

Female Community Support Befriender – Skerton, Lancaster

Why do we need Community Support Befrienders?

There are people in our local communities who require a supportive companion to help them and this can be either in a face-to-face capacity or by weekly Telephone call Befriending. The benefits of their having regular meetings with a Community Support Befriender 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?

A female client seeks a similar aged female volunteer (late 30’s/early 40’s) to chat to with a weekly home visit, she would like to build up confidence to go out more on walks as she worries about going out alone due to anxiety. The client does not have a support network of friends or family and has 3 young children, her interests include listening to country music, watching soaps and she has 3 cats.

What’s in it for you?

By becoming a Befriender you are accepting the opportunity that could mark the turning point in someone’s life. This rewarding role offers an excellent opportunity for personal development by obtaining new skills and experiences as well as a chance to put something back into the community. If you live in the Lancaster area and have the time, ability and qualities to commit to this role, please apply.

Criteria

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must have lived in the UK for 3+ years
• Commitment of 30 minutes to 1 hour minimum per week / flexible
• Minimum commitment of 6 months is required

Tasks:

• To regularly visit the individual on a 1 : 1 basis either in their own home or 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 on-line 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