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Gift of Friendship

Would you like to be a Gift of Friendship volunteer befriender?

What we are looking for

Friendly volunteer befrienders (face to face and telephone) to help us address isolation and loneliness amongst older people in Stockport.

Why it matters
In Stockport, 41% of residents aged over 65 are at risk of loneliness or social isolation.

Why these roles are needed
Befriending has the power to transform the lives of older people though regular interactions. Our new cross-borough ‘Gift of Friendship’ befriending programme will help older people build connections, independence, and confidence.

What you’ll do

  • Provide and develop trusting, meaningful, and mutually rewarding regular companionship in person.
  • Provide safe, caring support after big life changes (e.g. hospital stays or bereavement)
  • Report any emerging issues or concerns that the befriendee has agreed to share, such as a change in personal circumstance or health
  • Keep accurate records of interactions with your befriendee and share with supervisor
  • Periodically meet with your befriending peers and Befriending Lead, Befriending Coordinator to share experiences, get support and reflect
  • Signpost other Age UK Stockport services that the befriendee may benefit from
  • Provide up to an hour’s support per week for a minimum of six months but we would ideally prefer a more long-term commitment.

We’ll match you with someone who needs your support, at a time suitable to the befriendee.

Skills and attributes needed

  • An understanding of loneliness and social isolation
  • An understanding of bereavement and loss, and the needs of older people
  • An ability to build strong relationships with others
  • A friendly, approachable manner and a desire to learn more about an individual and their interests and their past, and life history
  • Comfortable working alone
  • Patience and sensitivity
  • Good communication and record keeping
  • Consistency and reliability
  • Some basic IT skills

 

Benefits

  • Having a tangible impact on someone's life, particularly those who are vulnerable
  • A strong sense of accomplishment and purpose
  • Building intergenerational connections
  • Enhancing career prospects
  • Social and celebration events

Befriending is often described as a reciprocal relationship: while you're offering support, you're also gaining insight, emotional depth, and practical wisdom.

Skills developed

  • Emotional and Social Intelligence: empathy; active listening; emotional regulation
  • Communication Skills: compassionate dialogue; non-verbal awareness; conflict resolution
  • Relationship Building: trust development; boundaries and confidentiality; consistency and reliability
  • Problem-Solving and Creativity: adaptability; encouraging new perspectives; resourcefulness
  • Personal Growth: self-awareness; confidence and self-esteem; resilience

Support provided

  • Full induction.
  • Full training including Safeguarding, Making Every Contact Count, Building a Positive Volunteering Experience and more
  • Regular supervision by the Befriending Coordinator
  • Supervised peer-to-peer sessions with other befrienders: a safe place to share experiences, challenges, and successes, process emotion and learn from each other
  • Reimbursement of agreed expenses

How to apply / contact details

 

We will also require details of two referees and ask that you complete a DBS check (which we will arrange for you).