Big Buddy Befriender

Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Brent. Volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us - Big Buddies and Family Befriending. 

Our Big Buddies support young people, in the boroughs above, aged 10-18 for a few hours weekly or fortnightly over a period of 6 or 12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths, build confidence, and resolve difficulties. Young people have an equal voice in deciding how they wish to spend their time

Activities might include:.

• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear.
• Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!

Essential Criteria:

• Level of commitment mentioned above
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• Weekly supervision and support
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us - you can do that by contacting us here for an application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.