Check in and Chat Volunteer / Telephone Befriending

Check in and Chat Volunteer / Telephone Befriending

Posted for Age UK Surrey (VSNS)

Posted by Voluntary Support North Surrey

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Voluntary Support North Surrey website to express your interest.

As people get older, some may find they spend more time on their own. This can sometimes feel lonely, isolating, boring and lacking in social interaction.

As a Check in and Chat – Telephone Befriending volunteer you can make a difference to the wellbeing of an older person's life with a weekly chat.

Our volunteer Check in and Chat - Telephone Befriending service is for older people so they can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone, all from the comfort of their home with a weekly 20-30-minute chat (conversation length can vary) at a time which suits both volunteer and the older person. You will be matched with a person who has similar interests to you by our Staff Coordinator.

Hours: 20-30 minutes a week at your convenience at an agreed time with your elderly telephone friend

Supported by: Check in and Chat Befriending Coordinator

Location: Surrey older people and volunteers can be from Surrey or other counties.

Main Duties:

• Donating your time for a 20-30-minute personal call from your home phone or your mobile at a mutually agreed day and time each week
• Being kind and respectful to your telephone friend
• A commitment to volunteering with us for a minimum of 6 months is ideal
• Agreeing to our volunteer terms and conditions.

Personal Qualities:

• You enjoy a good phone call and happy to take time each week to check and have a chat
• You have patience, empathy and understanding of older people
• Are respectful and aware some older people have mild dementia / forgetfulness.

What skills do I need?

Skills:

• Excellent listening skills
• Have empathy for older people
• Be aware of some older people having hearing impairments
• The ability to value and respect others’ opinions and beliefs and to tolerate views different to your own
• To support and perhaps improve confidence of older people.

References/ID: The role requires two personal references which we will contact your Referee’s via email. We will register you for a DBS, at no cost to you with our secure online provider. All volunteers need to be age 18 or over.