Befriending Coordinator

Job description

**BEfriend is currently seeking a Befriending Coordinator to join our new Befriending Project aimed at eradicating isolation across the London Borough of Hounslow. **With our established presence in the neighbouring borough of Ealing, where we have been providing befriending services since 1994, we are expanding our operations to Hounslow and are looking for a dedicated individual to join us in making a positive difference.

Our Befriending Project supports people who isolated and feeling lonely. It provides a lifeline to people living alone who might go for days at a time not seeing a single person. The project supports people who are isolated and sometimes housebound. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia.

**The Befriending Coordinator is one of two new roles we are recruiting and you will work together with the Mental Health Befriending Coordinator to provide befriending services across Hounslow.**

**Key Tasks**:

- **Project Set-up**: As part of the initial stages of the befriending project in Hounslow, you will play a crucial role in project set-up. This will involve promoting the project to potential clients and volunteers, as well as networking with local agencies to establish collaborations and partnerships.
- **Client Assessments**: You will receive referrals for individuals who are experiencing isolation and require befriending services. Conducting client assessments will be a key aspect of your role. You will personally visit these individuals, engaging in discussions to understand their specific needs and support requirements. Additionally, you will maintain regular contact with them via telephone support until they are successfully matched with a suitable volunteer.
- **Matching and Coordination**: Once volunteers are recruited, you will be responsible for carefully matching them with individuals in Hounslow who are experiencing isolation. You will consider the assessments you have conducted to ensure a suitable match.
- **Support and Supervision**: Providing ongoing support, guidance, and supervision to both volunteers and the individuals they befriend will be an essential part of your role. This will include conducting regular check-ins, reviews, and addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the befriending relationship.