BEfriend - Volunteer Befriender

Details of the Charity:Share this

BEfriend is a registered charity (no 1072538) established in 1994. We provide one-to-one volunteer befriending to people within the London Borough of Ealing who are socially isolated because of physical, sensory, cognitive or psychological impairment.

Details of the Volunteering Opportunity:

As a Volunteer Befriender you would visit a client once a week, usually at the same time and day, for up to 2 hours. Some clients are completely housebound, so visits will take place in their home and you can chat with them, listen to any concerns that they may have or maybe enjoy an activity like a crossword or playing a board game.

Key Responsibilities:

Visit your client on a regular basis as agreed, spending 1 ½ to 2 hours with them, according to current government socially distanced guidelines
Volunteers are required to submit monthly report forms to keep us updated on your visits, and also to claim travel expenses.
Report back to BEfriend any issues or concerns that you have relating to your client
Inform your client and the BEfriend office if you can’t make your meeting with a client
Complete and return monthly monitoring reports and expenses forms within the time limit specified
Attend a Volunteer Review meeting with a BEfriend Co-ordinator 6 months after you commence volunteering and annually thereafter
Attend further BEfriend training courses where possible
Each month, as part of your monthly monitoring report to either claim expenses, donate expenses back to BEfriend or declare that you have not incurred expenses
To carry out your volunteering within the ethos of BEfriend at all times
Volunteers are required to submit monthly report forms to keep us updated on your visits, and also to claim travel expenses
We hold quarterly volunteer meetings, which involve food, drinks and a speaker. We also offer regular group supervision sessions for volunteers. Other relevant training is offered throughout the year.

Checks Required:

To undertake an enhanced DBS check (paid for and organised by BEfriend). The check is carried out as part of our Safeguarding policy to protect our clients who are vulnerable people. After three years the check needs to be done again. If a new DBS check has not been completed after three years and three months the volunteer will need to pause volunteering with us until this has been completed.

Skills Required:

To be non - judgemental in your attitude towards clients
To ensure that you are reliable and punctual when visiting clients and returning your monthly monitoring forms
To be conscientious with your volunteering and any follow up required for clients
To have an understanding and empathy for this vulnerable client group
Ability to work alone and cope well in one to one situations
Understanding of and willingness to work within the BEfriend framework including following policies and procedures
To be available once a week for up to two hours to visit your client
No particular experience is required to become a volunteer with BEfriend

Additional Benefits:

You will become part of a network of volunteers with regular training opportunities, meetings and social gatherings
Volunteering Hours to go towards the Brunel Volunteers Award
Volunteering achievement recognised on your HEAR Transcript