Erskine

10080 minutes in a week. How do you spend yours? Do you think you could spare 45-60 minutes of your time volunteering for Erskine?

Are you a compassionate friendly person with some time on your hands?  Are you a good listener that can converse easily? Then read on.

Befriending is a fantastic way make a difference to the lives of our veterans and residents. Although our residents receive excellent nursing care in the home setting, it is essential that we are also meeting their social needs and ensuring they each have a fulfilling and stimulating social life. Opportunities for residents to connect with the community is mainly achieved through our fabulous programme of activities, and through friends and family visiting, however, we have many residents whom would still benefit from that special one–to-one companionship and social connection that only a befriender can offer.

Not all our residents have friends and family who visit, for those that do their families need respite and holiday time from their visiting.

Becoming a befriender is an excellent way to support our veterans personally whilst at the same time leaving families reassured that, they can take a break, safe in the knowledge that someone is keeping an eye on their loved one while they are away

Our veterans did so much for us. It’s time that we gave back to them. Passion for giving back to veterans and respect for older people is essential

Ideally suited to volunteers with excellent interpersonal skills and a friendly outgoing disposition. Experience of caring for friends or relatives with dementia would be particularly useful in this role, although it is not essential. An ability to relate well to people on a one to one basis and be sympathetic to other’s situations

We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds who feel they can make a positive contribution for our residents. Erskine volunteers are all ages 14yrs and upwards, male and female from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Experience is not always necessary as Erskine can support you via our training programme.

We will match you with a resident (befriendee) and support you with your befriending journey. Your friendship will make a significant difference to the life of your resident and to your own life.

Befriending a veteran can be an incredible opportunity to enhance your own life, build new skills to help your personal and career development or just fulfil your karma yoga