Age UK Berkshire offers a Befriending service to people aged 50+ who are resident in the Reading Borough geographical area. The aim of the service is to enhance the quality of life of older people who live alone and have limited or no social contact, by offering companionship and support, usually by visiting them regularly at home. The Befriending Coordinator will endeavour to match clients to volunteers by taking account of factors such as interests, location and availability.

Main Tasks

• To visit client(s) on a regular basis at a time that is mutually convenient.
• To spend quality time during visits listening to and talking to clients, one-to-one.
• To spend time with clients during visits creatively, which if appropriate, might further enhance their quality of life e.g. by reading to them or playing cards, Scrabble, doing crafts, etc.
• Depending on the mobility/wellness of the client, it may be appropriate to accompany them on short trips outside the home, e.g. to the shops or garden centre.
• To report back to the co-ordinator about clients on a regular basis following each visit.
• To alert the co-ordinator to any concerns clients may have, or any concerns you may have about clients.