Befrienders Role
We are looking for non-judgemental, reliable, and patient individuals, who have an understanding (or the ability to learn) about domestic abuse and are confident using the telephone to join our volunteer befriender project. Befrienders will offer emotional support and promote self-care and healthy lifestyle choices to improve wellbeing and help alleviate isolation. The befriender will receive full training and ongoing support and supervision from our volunteer coordinator.
Role Purpose:
- Befrienders will offer emotional support, and promote self-care and healthy lifestyle choices to improve wellbeing and help alleviate isolation.
- To provide calls that are reliable, consistent and dependable.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide a weekly or fortnightly telephone call/video call or an appointment in the office per week
- Providing emotional support, including non-judgemental active listening
- Helping individuals to think about self-care, healthy lifestyle and development of routine
- Supporting individuals to pursue interests/hobbies and opportunities
- Supporting and gently encouraging people to make changes to improve their lives
- Helping individuals to achieve their goals and become empowered.
- To be aware of child and adult protection issues and report these to the Volunteer Coordinator, or member of staff or Designated Person as appropriate
- Ensure that women receive information on the services provided by RCTDAS
- To feedback, make notes of calls and assist in recording on Oasis
What experience do I need?
- Respect for the confidentiality and self-respect of service users
- Non-judgemental, reliable and patient
- To be friendly, approachable, good communication skills and a good listener
- Knowledge and understanding of (or ability to learn) domestic abuse and the effects on women and children
- Confident using the phone
- Ability to calmly respond to the needs of the individual you are befriending, including managing a crisis and passing on any concerns or assessing the need for a follow up call from a member of the SAFE or SRC teams
- Organisational and basic admin skills
Professional:
- To attend regular supervision
- To operate within and observe RCT Domestic Abuse Services policies and procedures
- To represent RCT Domestic Abuse Services in a professional manner, to promote its ethos and work in a positive way
- To maintain anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory work practices
What you will gain as a volunteer
- A rewarding experience and opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of someone
- In-house training enabling you to develop new skills and broaden your knowledge. The training covers active listening skills and specific issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, boundaries and endings.
- Skills development in support work
- On-going training and opportunities for personal development and progression
- Support and supervision
- An opportunity to contribute to the services provided by RCT Domestic Abuse Services
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in line with the RCT Domestic Abuse Services Volunteer Policy
I am a retired woman of 74 years. I was a nurse in my professional life and a Samaritan listening volunteer for 16 years. I am currently a member of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Community Health Council.
Hi Rowena,
Michelle our volunteer coordinator would be happy to provide you with more information. Whern you are ready give her a call on 01443 400791.
Thank you
In relation to becoming a befriender where would the training take place? Also if successful what office/location would the befriender volunteering take place in?
Hi Menna,
Michelle our volunteer coordinator would be happy to provide you with more information. Whern you are ready give her a call on 01443 400791.
Thank you