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BEFRIENDER

ROLE PROFILE

Date last updated: 22nd July 2015

About the Role

The Befriending Service provides either 4 or 8 sessions with a volunteer Befriender, to people who are feeling low in confidence, suffering from mental health issues, or people wanting to improve their social networks. The service is a diverse one and we have previously supported people who are new to the area, have recently left a relationship, or those who are unemployed and don’t feel like they have the confidence to make new friends.

The Befriender role is also diverse and involves meeting your client on a regular basis which can provide someone with a sense of worth and confidence. Being a Befriender can require patience, listening skills, the ability to set challenging but achievable goals, and the knowledge of other support services in the area. A Befriender can help with practical things too, like helping their client apply for a job or a college course, or attending a social group with them.

The role can be highly satisfying, and you will be given the opportunity to support someone during a difficult period of their lives. Attending the bi monthly supervision meetings with your fellow Befriending volunteers can also provide you with the support you need.

Typical duties

  • To meet with at least 1 service user regularly, completing either 4 sessions within a 2 month period or 8 sessions within a 4 month period.
  • To provide informal information and support to service users accessing the befriending service
  • To support service users to attend groups and activities within the community, for example, attending a hobby based group, or another wellbeing group.
  • Plan and organise meetings with service users in advance, submitting the appropriate paperwork for any activity based expenses
  • To complete monitoring forms and feedback as required by the LGBT FOUNDATION
  • To have a good understanding of local services (particularly those delivered by the LGBT FOUNDATION)
  • To comply with LGBT FOUNDATION’s Lone Worker policy at all times and inform us of any issues with service users
  • To attend bi monthly support & development meetings (day and time tbc), no attendance may result in you being asked to leave the role.
  • To notify the LGBT FOUNDATION in as much time as possible if unable to attend/maintain your commitment to the Befriending Service
  • As all befriending volunteers will be given a mobile phone to contact their clients, you willadhere to the mobile phone policy, to ensure the mobile phones aren’t being used inappropriately

Skills & Knowledge Required

  • The ability to demonstrate personal and/or professional experience in this area of work
  • Self motivating, enthusiastic and confident
  • Able to think on your feet and good at problem solving
  • Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
  • Trustworthy and honest
  • A good understanding of the diverse lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender communities
  • Demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to client confidentiality ( in accordance with the LGBT FOUNDATION Confidentiality Procedures and Policy)
  • Be confident and comfortable in discussing personal matters with service users
  • Be able to locate information for service users from the range of information available
  • A commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
  • Flexibility around volunteering availability

Training and Benefits

  • Induction to LGBT Foundation
  • Full befriending training package including confidentiality, boundaries, mental health awareness, safeguarding and the importance of boundaries
  • Access to other training courses
  • Regular befriending supervisions; which provides an opportunity to share experiences with other volunteers and seek support
  • An opportunity to utilise and develop group work facilitation skills which can be used for employment
  • An excellent expenses package
  • We will also provide you with a character reference should you need one

DBS Check required?

Yes – please contact Volunteer Co-ordinator straight after offer of role to organise a DBS check as you will be unable to volunteer with service users until we have received a satisfactory DBS.

The signature below indicates you have read and understood the role profile, and are aware that if any of the above may prove a problem you can discuss this with your volunteer supervisor and/or the Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Signed (staff supervisor):

Signed (volunteer):

Date:

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