Befriender (Adults-dundee (Flip)

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Flip is a service that is providing support to children, young people and parents who have been impacted by substance use in Dundee. The service is providing a whole family approach and will provide support through workers and volunteers (for example through mentors, befrienders and group work). The service is supporting children who are affected by parental substance use, supporting young people who potentially are using themselves and helping to support parents/carers who are impacted by substance use through others in the family setting or themselves. We are looking for volunteers from 18+ to be able to provide 1:1 or 2:1 support to an adult once a week or once a fortnight for around 2 hours per session out and about in the community. The role can take place during the day (school hours), after school, early evening or at weekends. The purpose of the role will vary but a volunteer could be linked with an adult who is a parent at the service to encourage the individual with new activities, to help them build relationships with peers, improve mental wellbeing and to build up their confidence. Activities could include going for walks, going to local parks, activities within the community, going swimming and going to a café for a chat. Some roles may be more of a family support role where the volunteer is supporting the parent with children being part of the session. We are also looking for volunteers to provide support to a parent caring after a child/young person with additional support needs by being a listening ear. We are also looking for volunteers who have experience and knowledge around substance use as the Families Linked In Project supports children, young people and parents who have been impacted by substance use in the family setting. Previous experience is not essential but for some of our roles previous experience/knowledge/awareness would be much welcomed.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children and young people. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children and young people - no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.- Tasks: Building positive relationships with young people by meeting with them regularly on a one-to-one basis.
- Encouraging young people to access resources, groups and activities within their local community, such as youth groups and sports clubs.
- Promoting and encouraging service users to make active choices and informed decisions.
- Accompanying young people to attend meetings or attending on their behalf.
- Providing emotional/moral support for young people, while maintaining an appropriate volunteer/service user rapport.
- Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
- Participating fully in training and supervision.
- Volunteering within Barnardo's Basis and Values.- Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
- Approachable and welcoming.
- Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.
- Being non-judgmental and positive in their attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds.
- Good listening and communication skills.
- The ability to manage and respond positively to challenging situations.- Benefits: Full induction and training.
- Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
- Regular supervision and support.
- Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
- Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
- Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.