Volunteer Coordinator - Befriending Services
Volunteer Coordinator - Befriending Services
Role Summary:
The purpose of this role is to manage the befrienders and their befriending relationships with clients. This includes making the contact between befriender and client and introducing them both. Having initial call with the client and receiving regular updates via text message or email from befrienders and uploading their feedback onto our easy-to-use befriending app which directly feeds back to Jewish Care. For those befrienders that do not like to regularly report the date and time, the call each week needs to be logged and any changes noted.
The aim of the role is to support befrienders with a listening ear and guiding them to the right answers using Jewish Care as a focus. Passing any concerns to the Befriending assistant and giving out the helpline number for referrals for further help and guidance. You and the befriender are the eyes and ears of Jewish Care and need to encourage reports every time a call or visit is made. Feeling confident to chase befrienders where necessary.
Time Commitment: a day and a half week dependent on the preferred workload. Attending Coordinators meeting 3x a year via zoom.
How this role makes a difference: Supporting befrienders with a listening ear and guiding them to the right answers using Jewish Care as a focus.
Skills & experience required:
• The ability to use Word, Excel and email effectively
• A basic understanding of databases and how to access them (Not essential)
• Strong organisation and multi-tasking skills needed
• To remain calm
• Understanding of confidentiality and boundaries
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to trouble shoot and have the confidence to signpost to the right person
• To have a sensitive and caring nature
• Knowledge of Jewish Care and its services and facilities (training provided)
Information may only be discussed with the line manager at Jewish Care.
Information shared within the befriending community must be anonymised to ensure
confidentiality.
Information held on clients and volunteers must remain secure at all times.
Any information believed to be an adult protection issue, or concerning the personal safety of either the client, befriender or another human being will be passed on to the line manager immediately.
If standing down from the role of befriender coordinator, one is still expected to keep all information confidential at all times and must never discuss any befriending relationships that one has been involved in.
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:
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Provide you with access to a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures.
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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.
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Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support.
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Be part of a great team and make new friends.
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Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.
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Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.
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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:
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Older people
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People with Mental Health needs
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Holocaust Survivors
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People who are living with Dementia
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People with physical and sensory disabilities
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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.
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.
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 volunteering with Jewish Care, please contact volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.
