Befriending Volunteer

Befriending Volunteer

Posted for Gosport Voluntary Action

Posted by Gosport Voluntary Action

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Gosport Voluntary Action website to express your interest.

Would you like to help reduce loneliness for a Gosport resident in need? Do you enjoy having a chat on a one-to-one basis? If so, you may be interested in becoming a Volunteer Telephone Befriender or Volunteer Visiting Befriender.

The Gosport Befriending Service is looking for Befriending Volunteers for Gosport residents who may not have regular visitors and who are in need of social contact. As a befriender, you can have a direct, positive impact on the life of an older resident and help reduce social isolation.

This rewarding opportunity is very flexible and can fit with your own commitments, however, we do ask that you have some availability within our office hours.

Telephone Befrienders are based at home, a record of calls will need to be kept with either computer entry or email/telephone support from the Coordinator. Volunteers phone Gosport residents in need of a regular chat and catch up.

Visiting Befrienders are asked to make a regular weekly visit of at least one hour; you may like to go for a walk, help write a letter or reminisce over old times.  All visits will be in line with current Covid-19 Guidelines and risk assessment.

Training, support and regular catch up meetings are provided, in accordance with current Covid-19 guidelines and risk assessment, by the Befriending Service.  Out of pocket travel expenses are reimbursed, an enhanced DBS check is required, which will be organised and paid for by the service. 

“Befriending is very much a two-way thing - being a Befriending Volunteer gives me purpose, I always get a lot out of it.” Betty, Volunteer Visitor.

Join the team and with just an hour a week, you could make a real difference to the life of an older local person in need. 

What skills do I need?

- Ability to chat with an older person on a one-to-one basis.
- Ability to listen with interest, reliability, patience and empathy
- Reliable and trustworthy