Preston - Community Support Befriending

TITLE: Time to share?

Overview

Right now in your neighbourhood are people in need of Community Support Befriending, if you have time to spare each week and want to help, please consider applying to this opportunity.

Why do we need befrienders?

Volunteers actively support, encourage, and empower their person to achieve specified and agreed goals and objectives. They use local knowledge of community services and groups to help increase the persons confidence, resilience and independence.

By apply today to this advert you will be taking the first step to becoming a LVP Volunteer and accepting the opportunity that could mark the turning point in someone's life.

This post is subject to a DBS check

Tasks

• To regularly visit the individual on a 1 : 1 basis either in their own home or a community setting.
• To regularly support the individual to achieve agreed positive goals to promote their independence - The role is unique to every individual's needs and circumstances.
• To provide regular feedback on the progress of the individual via an on-line computer system.
• To log volunteering hours monthly and submit expenses where applicable via an on-line computer system.
• To complete minimum level training e.g. Safeguarding and commit to further training relevant to the role.

Criteria

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Our Community Support Befrienders do not work with people who are family or close friends
• Commitment of 1-2 hours minimum per week / flexible
• Minimum commitment of 6 months is required
• Understanding of vulnerability
• Understanding and awareness of key issues that can affect lives i.e. mental health issues, misuse of substances -alcohol, drug abuse, etc.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to use basic ICT systems
• Be able to deal with difficult situations in a professional manner
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to use own initiative
• Respect for equality and diversity

Training

Training will be provided where necessary and may be in the form of peer support, distance learning or trainer led.  Volunteers must have completed the required training before any activity can be undertaken and may be asked to regularly refresh training where required.