Volunteer Befrienders provide telephone or face to face support for lonely/isolated residents of Hartlepool who live alone, building their confidence to access social groups and get out and about in the community.

What You'll Do: 

Loneliness and isolation can result in a decline in an individual’s physical and mental health, which can result in risks to the individual’s safety such as the inability to self-rescue in the case of a fire.  If we can reduce loneliness and isolation, we can increase safety and reduce risk.   

 

Volunteer Befrienders telephone or meet with their matched person, typically on a weekly basis, with the aim of reducing loneliness and isolation and to improve their well-being.   

 

Initially, volunteers may be visiting clients in their home for a friendly chat over a cup of tea and will hopefully build to accompanying clients on short walks, outings or to attend local social groups. With the intention of building the client’s confidence to participate in these activities unaccompanied and perhaps eventually become volunteers themselves.

 

There is also opportunity for volunteers to support the Befriending Service in delivering activities for our clients to attend in the community.

Why You'll Love It: 
This is a great opportunity to support your local community and make a real difference to people's lives.  You will build new relationships, have access to training and support, and be able to develop your skills and experience for your future career.  References are available for future opportunities that you want to pursue.   
What You'll Learn: 
Volunteers will be required to complete induction training, which includes information on record keeping, professional boundaries and confidentiality.  Volunteers are also required to complete safeguarding training prior to being matched with a client.    This is also a great opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and experience in working with socially excluded members of the community.   
What We're Looking For: 
Potential volunteers must be able to provide a commitment of 1 hour per week minimum, ideally for a minimum of 1 year.  Volunteers must enjoy working with people, be a good listener, reliable, committed and caring, have excellent English language skills, and have the confidence to be able to support clients 1:1.    Potential volunteers will be required to complete the volunteer registration form, have a telephone or face to face interview, undergo a DBS check and provide 2 references in the application process. 
Summary
Volunteering
Community
Social Care
Older People
Disability
Health
Hartlepool
52 Weeks Minimum
1 Hours / Week
Skills you will develop: 
Active listening
Empathy
Interpersonal / Confidence
Requirements: 
DBS check
Over 18
Phone Interview
Training

Similar Opportunities

 
Generalist Adviser
Citizens Advice Middlesbrough
Min. 52 Weeks Minimum weeks
Generalist Adviser
Volunteering
Community, Crisis Support

A generalist adviser sees clients who have been assessed as needing further help to explore and resolve their problems.

 
Volunteer Car Driver
Stokesley and District Community Care Association
Min. weeks
Volunteer Car Driver
Volunteering

Ideal for people who love to get out and about. Very flexible role in terms of time commitment. The service is door to door you will use your own car to transport passengers to and from medical appointments or social activities.

 
FoodCycle Middlesbrough Cooking Volunteer!
FoodCycle
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
FoodCycle Middlesbrough Cooking Volunteer!
Volunteering
Community, Poverty, Older People, Homelessness, Hunger

As a Cooking Volunteer you’ll join the kitchen team to help produce a three-course vegetarian meal using surplus food for our wonderful guests! Every Tuesday evening from 17.30-21.00pm at Middlesbrough Breckon Hill.