Volunteer as a Mental Health Befriender

The Befriending Service is for anyone who needs befriending. We are looking for people to become befrienders who can support and talk to men and women who may struggle with their mental health, are socially isolated or lack friendship and would welcome social support from others. We are specifically looking for volunteers to support people who may have accompanying mental health needs. A friendly telephone call can make a big difference to someone who feels alone. Once it is permitted, we will also be holding friendship clubs and meeting points in the community, where volunteers and service users can meet for a coffee and chat face to face, if this what they want to do.

As a befriender you will be carefully matched with an individual who we think would be a good fit. Initially, you will make a weekly telephone call. We encourage you to decide between you which day of the week you would like to have the calls, and whether this is a set time or not. You may then work towards meeting up (restrictions permitting), either one-to-one or within a group.

The role will include the following:

• Support adults (who may have mental health needs) to engage in activities that help their general wellbeing.
• To provide telephone friendship calls each week in the event of restrictions due to Covid-19.
• Respect the autonomy and dignity of the person.
• Ability to bring to the attention any relevant problems or concerns which may jeopardize the relationship or affect the health and safety of the person you are working with.
• Be comiitted to weekly contact with the service user.
• Be prepared to attend any relevant training, review and supervision sessions, staff team and volunteer group meetings.
• Keep a log of all visits.

Skills

• Good listening skills.
• Understanding of older people and / or people with disabilities/long term health condition as well as an understanding of mental health needs.
• Non-judgmental attitude.
• Honest and trustworthy.
• Commitment and reliability.
• Respect for confidentiality.
• Friendliness and warmth.
• Empathy and resilience.

Times required: 1 hour per week at times mutually agreed between service user and volunteer.

Minimum commitment: 6 months.

Responsible to: Project Coordinators. An Enhanced DBS check is required for all Volunteers involved in this scheme, which will be processed by Butterflies.