Befriender

Our Volunteer befrienders offer weekly visits to people in the local community that may feel lonely or isolated. Their role is to offer company and friendship and the weekly visits will include outings and/or activities together.

Key responsibilities:

· Being available to volunteer for a minimum of two hours per week on an ongoing basis.

· Building a sensitive and caring friendship with the client.

· Arranging outings and/or activities with the clients e.g. regular coffee social sessions.

· Being understanding rather than judgmental about a client’s situation or circumstances.

· Respecting the confidentiality of clients at all times.

· Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries.

· Informing the Project Co-ordinator of any concerns about the client.

Befriending matching:

· The Project Co-ordinator will discuss a potential client from the waiting list with you to gauge whether you may have a common interest as a base for a match.

· With your agreement the Project Co-ordinator will then arrange for an initial first visit to the client. The Project Co-ordinator can accompany you on this visit if you require.

· You will arrange a time and place to meet your client each week and this can be as flexible as you wish. You will record this on a supplied timesheet so that the Project Co-ordinator can track your volunteering hours.

· The Project Co-ordinator will make monthly contact with you to see how the arrangement is progressing. You can contact the Project Co-ordinator at any time though.

About Qube

Oswestry Community Action, (Qube) is a registered charity and multi-service provider of community facing wellbeing services. Our mission is to support and enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of communities in Shropshire and the bordering Welsh counties. We support people through the provision of community transport, social groups and befriending, volunteer brokering, community health awareness support and arts and culture. Our service offering has developed over time and continues to evolve in response to local need; such as rural poverty and lack of opportunities; particularly for social isolation, education and poor public transport provision.

Skills:

Full, clean driving license or willingness to use public transport if necessary.

Good listening skills and ability to show empathy with clients.

To be reliable and to keep regular contact with their client.

To be respectful of the client’s individuality.

Awareness and / or understanding of the key issues facing the client.

Additional Information:

We offer an initial taster session, following registration, and then a four week trial period which is reviewed for future progression.

The Project Co-ordinator will give you a form to record your mileage on each week. Mileage is recorded from leaving your home to returning to your home.  Mileage is paid at 45p per mile up to a distance of 10 miles from your home to the location.  You can also record any car parking charges on this form which will be reimbursed only if there is a valid ticket/ receipt.