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Befriending Volunteer

Befriending volunteer

As a Befriending volunteer you could provide company and motivation for a lonely older person on the Isle of Wight.

What do befriending volunteers do?

Many older people can be isolated and lonely especially if they don’t have family or friends nearby. A visit or telephone call from a befriending volunteer can really lift their spirits and give them something to look forward to. By befriending you will also be supporting your befriendees to work towards small and achievable goals.

What you will get out of it

  • It's a great way to make a real difference to someone's life
  • You'll be giving something to your community
  • You will gain a sense of pride in the impact you've had on someone's day
  • You will be a key person in someone's journey
  • Volunteers tell us they find befriending really rewarding

What is expected of me?

Befriending volunteers are expected to call or visit their client regularly. This usually involves a commitment of around 30 minutes to an hour per week, over a period of time. Regular social interaction can help to build confidence, self-esteem and structure for someone, amongst many other positive outcomes.

Your goal is to help reduce their social isolation and loneliness through companionship and by supporting them to build confidence and motivation to change or manage their current situation.

We will also offer training to enable you to support your clients to set and achieve goals. All training will be covered by the charity and we will support you to improve your skills in guided conversation, understanding loneliness and isolation and goal setting. You will also be advised throughout your time as a volunteer at Age UK Isle of Wight of any one-off or new optional training we are able to provide to help you in your role, for example external bereavement training.

What next?

Get in touch to find out more.

Email: volunteering@ageukiw.org.uk
Call: 01983 525282

Or simply fill out our online form and someone will be in touch, click here.

How You Will Be Supporting People

  • Befriending and Companionship - You will provide companionship through telephone calls or face-to-face sessions, or a combination of both depending on what is most suitable for you. 
  • Provide Motivation - Supporting befriendees to build a sense of self-esteem by helping them reach small and achieveable goals*, through practical and emotional support. These goals would have been assessed and agreed mutually by the AUKIW co-ordinator and befriendee.
  • Promote Independence, Not Dependence - A befriender should always work towards the goal of enabling their befriendee to have a sense of independence and self-efficiency. We want to empower our befriendees to live life to the fullest. 

*Examples of goals:

  • Helping your befriendee write and post a letter to an old friend to rekindle social communication
  • Encouraging your client to spend more time in the garden
  • Helping them create a positive home, through tasks such as; buying a house plant or clearing a cluttered area.

Qualities of a Good Neighbour Scheme Befriending Volunteer

  • Non-judgmental.
  • Reliable and trustworthy.
  • Ability to work on own initiative.