Volunteer with BEfriend

Would you like to become a befriender?

What does a befriender do?

As a volunteer befriender you would visit a client once a week, usually at the same time and day, for up to 3 hours.  Some clients are completely housebound, so visits will take place in their home and you can chat with them, listen to any concerns that they may have or maybe enjoy an activity like a crossword or playing a board game.

Many clients are able to go out; they just do not have anyone to go with. We want to encourage clients to go out whenever possible, as a change of scenery can make a big difference. Clients may enjoy going out to a coffee shop, local park, or even to a shop to pick up a few items.

The visits are purely social and our volunteers don’t do shopping, any form of personal care, DIY, gardening or cleaning for their clients.  If they need these services they should be arranged via a Social Worker.

Once you have applied to volunteer:

♦ Our Volunteer Coordinator will call you to arrange a time for an interview

♦ An informal interview will take place

♦ We will apply for references and a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service)

♦ We will invite you to attend the next available induction training day.

Once you have completed all of the above, we find a suitable client for you to visit and introduce you to them. If the introduction visit goes well and you are both happy, the visits will then take place weekly.

Volunteers are required to submit monthly report forms to keep us updated on your visits, and also to claim travel expenses.

We hold quarterly volunteer meetings, which involve food, drinks and a speaker. We also offer regular group supervision sessions for volunteers. Other relevant training is offered throughout the year.