What would I be doing as a telephone befriender?
The aim of telephone befriending is to reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness in older people. Volunteers are required to ring an older person to check on them and build a friendship.
What impact would I have?
One half an hour call seems really simple, but having someone to talk to and someone to listen, could really make a difference to an older person. It could be that you’re the only person they speak to that day, or even that week. Our telephone befriending service has become increasingly important during the Covid-19 outbreak as people become more isolated whilst staying indoors.
How does it work?
Our befrienders are introduced to an older person, either through a telephone call or a free video calling programme like Skype (this would depend if the older person had access to a home broadband connection).
The calling is flexible, we recommend you try and keep the call to the same time and day every week, but it’s up to you and you can discuss this on your first call.
Skills
Why volunteer for MHA?
If you are passionate about caring for older people, MHA is the place for you. We are a national charity inspiring the best care at every stage of later life. It is our mission to enable people to live later life well and you could help us achieve this. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, this is more important than ever and we need help in order to keep up the levels of excellent care that we provide.
Details
- Accessibility
All you need is a phone to be able to call our older members. Internet is not essential. - Age restrictions
You must be 18 and over. - DBS check required
We carry out our own DBS Check. - Equal Opportunities Policy
- Expenses reimbursed
- Health and Safety Policy
- Ongoing support
You will be supported by our team on a daily basis. - Training provided
We provide training to our volunteer in areas relating to Telephone Befriending. - Volunteer induction
- Volunteer Policy
- Volunteers covered by insurance
- Written role description
When can I volunteer?
Start Date: 08/03/2021
End Date: 08/03/2022
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Afternoon | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Evening | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Location
This opportunity can be carried out whilst working from home.
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