Befriending Volunteers Needed

Line Manager:  Befriending and Carers Co-ordinator

Summary:

Befriending is a means of providing individuals who are lonely and isolated as a result of their mental health problem with regular one to one support from a volunteer to pursue a social activity. This may consist of listening and conversing with clients, making home visits, visiting inpatients wards, help with using public transport; cycling; swimming; bowling; trip to town; going for a coffee, etc.

The aim of the service is to lessen the individual’s isolation and promote development of self confidence and self esteem through this unique friendship, enabling people to live successfully and independently in the community. 

Volunteer Befrienders will meet with clients once a week for two to four hours. We ask volunteers for a commitment of at least one year. As a Volunteer Befriender you will receive training, supervision, reimbursement of expenses and ongoing support.

Male and female volunteers are needed; we welcome applications from all sections of the community and are keen to recruit volunteers from black and ethnic minority communities.

We have an ongoing recruitment campaign and encourage those who may be interested in working for us to contact the Befriending Co-ordinator via email: cyrillia.francis@cityandhackneymind.org.uk