JEWISH CARE

Volunteer Telephone Discussion Group Facilitator

(Befriending Team)

Role Summary: The Befriending Team are seeking a volunteer to facilitate weekly small discussions between a few clients over the phone. The volunteer will contact participants ahead of each session, lead and facilitate discussions with groups of up to five or six clients and report key updates and observations to a supervisor following each meeting. This role plays an important part in creating a welcoming and supportive space where individuals can connect, share their experiences, enjoy conversation with other likeminded people, and feel less alone.

Time Commitment: There are two discussion group sessions each week, and volunteers are invited to commit to leading either one or both sessions regularly, depending on what works best for them.

Up to 2½ -3 hours maximum every Tuesday and/or Thursday (group calls are 3-4pm). This includes calls to clients beforehand and following up to the supervisor afterwards.

How this role makes a difference: Volunteering to help us with this makes a real difference by helping clients feel connected and supported, reducing feelings of isolation. By facilitating warm, engaging and enjoyable discussions, volunteers enable participants to share their experiences, take part in meaningful conversation, and build a sense of community.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Calling all participants prior to group call
• Leading an hour-long discussion ensuring all are engaged and have equal opportunity to participate.
• Reporting individual clients’ updates to supervisor

Skills & experience required:

• A warm and friendly personality.
• Ability and understanding of the importance of always adhering to confidentiality rules.
• Experience leading group discussions (desirable but not essential).
• Good time management.
• Confidently engage with a diverse range of people and enjoy helping others.
• A strong understanding and of issues that affect people in later life.
• Reliability, consistency and dependability.
• Good conversational and listening skills with a clear speaking voice.
• Patience, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude.
• The ability to work independently but also stay within the role’s boundaries – recognising what should and shouldn’t be done and when to seek advice or report concerns.

Induction, Learning & Development:
Training is available so volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards, develop new skills, build confidence, make new friends and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks. 
Jewish Care will provide the following training, essential for this role:

• Provide you with access to a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures.
• Provide Induction Training:  Getting to know Jewish Care, Communication & Disability Awareness, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR.
• Provide on the job induction.

Benefits of Volunteering with Jewish Care:

Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function.  We absolutely depend on you.  Whatever your age, disability, whether you are working, unemployed or retired, there are opportunities to help at Jewish Care.

As well as helping others you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends.

• Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support.
• Be part of a great team and make new friends.
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.
• Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.
• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV
  
  

Our aim is to enable people to enjoy a first-class experience as volunteers, making the most of their skills to make an impact on the communities that Jewish Care serve.

Why get involved with Jewish Care?
The work of Jewish Care and the services we provide to our community are vital.  We touch the lives of 10,000 people each week, with everything we do being underpinned by our Jewish values and ethics.  We provide services to:

• Older people
• People with Mental Health needs
• Holocaust Survivors
• People who are living with Dementia
• People with physical and sensory disabilities
• People who care for others

We can only do this thanks to our amazing professional staff of 1,400 and the 3,000 dedicated volunteers who help make our work possible.

Next Steps to becoming a volunteer at Jewish Care:

Step 1:
Please complete an expression of interest form for this role, which will automatically create a profile on our volunteer management system.  After you have applied, we will be in touch to discuss this role in more detail. If you would prefer to speak with someone from the Volunteers Team to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us:  020 8922 2405.
Step 2:
Following a successful conversation, with a member of the Volunteers Team or Hiring Manager you will be invited for an interview (and asked to bring identification with you).
Step 3:
Following a successful interview, you will be offered the volunteering role and asked to add further information into your volunteer profile, providing two references and completing a DBS (previously CRB) application form online.  Additional paperwork may need to be completed for some roles e.g. volunteer driver.
Step 4: 
You will be invited to attend mandatory Volunteer Induction Training. Training is to enable volunteers to carry out roles to the highest professional standards, develop skills, build confidence and meet other new volunteers
Step 5:  Mazel-tov/Congratulations!
Once we have received and recorded a suitable DBS, satisfactory references and training has been completed, you are officially part of the Jewish Care Volunteer network.

If you have any questions at all about the role or volunteering with Jewish Care, please contact volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work or our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff.  This role does not form any part of any contract of employment.