We are seeking volunteers to help improve the quality of life for older people who live in the Reading area by providing friendship and support as part of the Age UK Reading Befriending Scheme. Many older people experience chronic loneliness in later life and, as a result, experience a decline in wellbeing and associated health impacts. Age UK’s Befriending service is there to offer human contact, warmth, and access to a support network for these people.
A volunteer Telephone Befriender is sought to join our team of volunteer Befrienders.
Telephone Befrienders call one or more older people once a week on a regular basis for a chat, checking in on how they are doing and reporting back any concerns. Each call takes no more than 20 minutes and the number of different befriendees a befriender calls each week is agreed with the volunteer, according to their availability.
Where:
Key Responsibilities:
1. Undergo an initial induction process
2. Telephone the clients on a regular basis that has been mutually agreed
3. Adhere to the policies and procedures of Age UK Reading
4. Maintain appropriate boundaries of confidentiality with clients, colleagues and volunteers
5. Complete client telephone forms after each contact and forward to the co-ordinator
6. Complete monthly expense sheets as appropriate
7. Attend training courses and one to one meetings as necessary
8. Pass any concerns relating to clients to the co-ordinator as soon as they become apparent.
Commitment:
1. Make a regular commitment to the befriending service
2. Willingness to undertake further training and supervision if required
3. Willingness to take part in twice yearly one to one session with the co-ordinator
4. Always remember that the main reason for visiting is to provide companionship and to be a “listening ear”. If the client needs practical help then add this fact to the client visit form.
Training and support:
In addition to safeguarding training other opportunities will be available from time to time. Support is available from the befriending co-ordinator.
Would suit:
A warm and caring person who has empathy with the elderly and can chat on a diversity of topics.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Knowledge and skills:
1. An understanding and recognition of abuse and the forms it may take
2. An understanding of the need for client confidentiality
3. An understanding of the need to maintain safe working boundaries when dealing with clients
Desirable Knowledge and skills:
1. Warmth, understanding and sensitivity
2. The ability to be supportive and non-judgemental regardless of age, race, sexuality, religion or disability
3. Good listening skills
Staying Safe:
You will be asked to undertake a DBS check up to barring list level under the adult workforce.