Volunteer Befriender

**About the Role**

**One-to-One Befriender in the Community**

One-to-One Befrienders in the Community are part of Guild Care's new and exciting prevention service for those aged 65 and over. It aims to reduce loneliness and isolation in Worthing through companionship, shared interests and community participation.

Befrienders help the service's members connect with others through weekly telephone contact or companionship visits.

This role is a flexible and enjoyable opportunity to spend time providing emotional support and companionship to an older person, helping reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation by connecting them to others in their community.

This role is based within the community, so you will need access to a car or be able to use public transport to travel within the Worthing area.

We are looking for friendly and reliable people who:

- Have great listening skills and an ability to communicate with a range of different people
- Can empathise with older people who are feeling lonely or isolated
- Have a non-judgemental attitude and are accepting of people's differences
- Have some knowledge of local services in Worthing area
- Can maintain confidentiality and comply with appropriate policies
- Can work unsupervised in the local community (support and training will be provided)
- Can provide satisfactory DBS Check.

**It is Guild Cares’ hope and expectation that as a volunteer you will -**
- Be a team player
- Be enthusiastic and committed to the role
- Have a good level of initiative and common sense
- Have good communication skills
- Have an open and non-discriminatory attitude
- Be flexible in your approach
- Communicate with staff on duty
- Have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people
- Have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in your local community
- Be caring and compassionate in your approach
- An understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.

**Support Offered**

You will be supported by the volunteering team and the unit that you will be volunteering for. Depending on your role there will be some training that we ask that you complete. This is outlined below
- Volunteer Handbook
- Creating Connections Handbook
- We understand that volunteers may have strengths and interests in different areas, and we have therefore indicated below a range of tasks and activities volunteers could be expected to assist with and support within this role._

**Job Types**: Part-time, Volunteer

Schedule:

- No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Worthing: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Work Location: One location

Reference ID: 121 Befriender