Befriending Officer

Befriending Officer

Age UK Birmingham (AUKB) and Age Concern Birmingham (ACB) are working together to reduce loneliness and isolation for the over 50s.

Working with current befriending assets, local communities and the Neighbourhood Network Scheme, the service will identify and address gaps across the city, developing:

·       A Befriending Offer Forum

·       Creating Friendship Groups

·       Reconnecting through short-term on-to-one Befriending Support

Job Purpose

Your role will be to support and strengthen existing befriending services, through the befriending forum.

You will also establish and deliver engaging new friendship groups maximising reach and accessibility across the city. Working with the groups to support them to become self-led, independent, and sustainable.

To work on a one-to-one basis with older adults to assess wellbeing, increase socially activity and signpost to other services as required.

To support and oversee volunteers providing telephone befriending to housebound older people.

 Principal Duties:

·       To identify and map existing befriending services and gaps across the city.

·       To support ACB Service Manager to establish and operate a Befriending Forum, supporting existing befriending services to maintain and strengthen their befriending offer.

·       To establish new friendship groups where there is an unmet need, with the aim of them becoming independent and self-led.

·       To risk assess working environments as appropriate in line with Health & Safety policies and procedures.

·       To make referrals/signpost to other appropriate agencies and organisations for specialist support based on the individual needs and circumstances.

·       To work with ACB Manager to develop and deliver workshops to strengthen befriending services

·       To maintain accurate and confidential records, ensuring activities, outputs and outcomes are recorded for reporting purposes.

·       To report any safeguarding/incidents/accidents to line manager.

·       To develop contacts, links, and relationships with other programmes such as Neighbourhood Network Schemes.

·       To represent the team at external meetings where appropriate.

·       To support and develop volunteers, overseeing their day-to-day activities.

Other duties                                                                     

·       To work to achieve the objectives of the organisations’ Equality and Diversity Policies.

·       To undertake any training required for the role and by the organisation.

·       To participate in the supervision and appraisal systems adopted by the organisation.

·       Adhere to the Health & Safety, information assurance, safeguarding policies and all other policies relevant to service delivery.

·       To undertake any other duties commensurate to the post not specifically mentioned in this job description.