Volunteer Befriender

Volunteer Role Description

Volunteer Befriender

 

Role of a Volunteer Befriender

Volunteer Befrienders with the Age UK Solihull Linking People Together service play a key role in supporting lonely older people.  Volunteers are in a position of trust as they establish a one to one relationship with the person they befriend.

The volunteer will provide a supportive relationship that enables the older person to build their confidence and enables then to retain a sense of independence and inclusion.

The tasks of a Volunteer Befriender

The tasks undertaken by a befriender will vary depending upon the needs of the individual they are supporting but will at all times be governed by the policies and procedures operated by the service.

The following list provides the range of tasks and the approach to be adopted by a volunteer whilst working with the service:

·       To develop and promote a positive relationship with the older person with whom the volunteer is matched;

·       To establish and maintain appropriate boundaries in the befriending relationship;

·       To agree with the older person the types of activities they wish to undertake, ensuring that these comply with the service safety requirements;

·       To be consistent and dependable;

·       To recognise that the relationship with the older person may be challenging due to the individuals needs and circumstances and being realistic about what can be achieved in your relationship with them;

·       To uphold Age UK Solihull’s core principles, vision, culture and values and abide by the policies and procedures of the service and the organisation;

·       To work in conjunction with the employees of the Linking People Together service to ensure service quality, by participating in team meetings, referring concerns about the older person they are befriending and completing monitoring forms;

·       To offer an accepting and understanding presence and work within a non-discriminatory framework.

Experience, skills and attitudes required

The project wants to promote an inclusive service that recognises the wide range of skills and experiences that volunteers can bring to the project and their befriending role to help reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people.

The volunteer person specification outlines the range of skills, experience and attitudes that we feel would be relevant to the role:

 

 

 

Essential requirements

·       All volunteers will be over the age of 16 prior to being matched with an older person who has been referred to the project, and are required to successfully complete compulsory training* and an informal interview.

·       In addition, as the role involves working with vulnerable adults, volunteers will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

·       Volunteers will come from all walks of life, with a range of experiences and skills to offer.

·       There are no specific educational qualifications required and we aim to recruit people with potential as well as those with relevant experience or qualifications.

·       We are looking for people who will embrace the principles and values that we promote when working with older people.

·       If escorting clients in a car, a full clean driving licence and the appropriate insurances and MOT.

Personal qualities

·       Able to communicate well with other people, particularly older people and be a good listener;

·       Can relate to the issues and challenges facing older people;

·       Reliable, consistent and dependable

·       Patient

Personal values

·       An ability to accept people for who they are;

·       A respect for others as being of equal worth

*Compulsory Training

Volunteer Mandatory training which includes:

·       Safeguarding

·       Confidentiality, Data Protection and Cyber Security

·       Health & Safety

·       Lone Working

·       Dementia Awareness

·       Equality & Diversity

·       Professional Boundaries

·       Infection prevention and control (5 minutes)

·       Food Safety (if preparing/handling food) (45 minutes)

Minimum Commitment

·       1 hour per week

Expenses

·       All reasonable out of pocket expenses are reimbursed monthly (following submission of expenses details).  Mileage allowance is paid at 45p per mile.