DESCRIPTION OF VOLUNTEER’S ROLE

1.OUTLINE OF VOLUNTEER’S ROLE

Post Title:SLaM BME Volunteer

Department/Ward:Peckham Befrienders

Reports To:Wayne Amiel, Service Manager

Accountable To:Joseph Kiguwa, BME Volunteer Coordinator

Location:Peckham and Elephant and Castle

  1. PURPOSE OF ROLE

To support BME service users who access the service in the Peckham Befrienders Service.

This will be achieved by attending Peckham Befrienders after agreeing the arranged time with Joseph Kiguwa at least a week before hand. To help in all aspects of the Peckham Befrienders service as is appropriate by volunteering.

  1. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

BME Service Development Manager

BME Volunteer Coordinator

Project worker

Volunteers Session Workers

  1. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The overall aim of the role is to act as a befriender to support to the service users. This will not include advocacy or counselling. Volunteers will be responsible for creating an welcoming environment where service users feel supported.

The fundamental principle behind the Peckham Befrienders project is that people with mental health problems, like others, need friends in their community with whom they can have an informal relationship based on mutual interest, equality and respect. You will play key a role in achieving this through supporting the delivery of the twice-weekly drop-in sessions. Linking Service Users with Befriender Volunteers, carrying out ward visits, and supporting a range of other activities. To support the project’s growth (by acting as spokesperson) rising its profile within the local and wider communities.
Communications and Working Relationships:
The BME Volunteer Coordinator, Service Users, Peckham Befrienders staff, other volunteers and BME Service Development Manager, SIMBA and/or Maroons.
Facts and Figures:

Peckham Befrienders sits within the Psychosis CAG and Peckham Befrienders operates within the borough of Southwark. Southwark stands out is its cultural diversity. The 2001 census shows that 37% of the population of Southwark came from non-white groups (90,600). Whilst the largest minority communities originate from West Africa (16.1%) and the Caribbean, there are also significant Bangladeshi and Chinese communities (18%). BME people are over-represented in every index of social deprivation. This project is firmly linked to the Government objectives expressed in Delivering Race Equality (DRE) in Mental Health.
Key Responsibilities:
2) To support Peckham Befrienders staff and service users via a group befriending role that sits within the code of conduct for befriending relationships
4) Assist with organising the twice weekly Drop-in sessions, including the practical tasks (e.g. shopping, helping with meals, ensuring refreshment are available, checking equipment is in working order, clearing up at the end of the sessions.
5) Ensure Drop-in sessions atmosphere are welcoming, respectful that creates an atmosphere that is welcoming and safe. This means working within the established procedures to ensure safety of staff and users, systems will be reviewed in supervision, and re-evaluated regularly
7) Publicise the service by being an ambassador for Peckham Befrienders by linking into other statutory providers, independent organisations, community organisations, local faith and community agencies
8) Liaise with community organisations in order to widen potential social networks for clients using our service.
9) Promote social inclusion and recovery by engaging with services users and other teams (both internal and external)
10) To protect the good reputation of the project by carrying out all tasks professionally

  1. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
  • An induction to the service and access to relevant training
  • Opportunities for review and feedback about involvement
  • Group facilitation and support
  • Access to help with audit and analysis of data
  • Travel expenses, meeting rooms and refreshment
  • Supervision and debriefing opportunities

Availability

  • Volunteers confirm availability at least a week before hand. They arrive at the session at 2.15 pm Tuesday and 2.30pm Thursday and stay until clearing up time. On the last Thursday of each month , volunteers are required to attend at 2.30pm

Support and Accountability

Your first line of supportand accountability in the service will be theBME servicesdevelopment manager. However when he is not available there will be a nominated Project worker who you make contact with.

Whilst we are sure your involvement with the service will be a pleasant, productive and interesting experience, we are here to support however, if you find any aspect of your time with you the service is difficult and or changeling then please discuss this (immediately) with the service manager.

If you have anything you wish to discuss in private then please bring this to the attention of the volunteer manager, who will either discuss it there and then, or if that is not convenient will arrange a mutually convenient time. There maybe times when you may have to communicate/liaise with health/social care professionals.

Who will I come in contact with?

Your contacts will involve service users, their family members, friends, neighbours, member of the public and other services.

Recognition

Volunteer involvement with Peckham Befrienders is imperative to the success of the service depends on the impute of volunteers

Location

Tuesdays Session: Attend 2.30pm – 6.15pm

St Mathews Church at the Elephant

Meadow Row, London SE1 6RG

0207 357 8532

Attend 2.30pm – 6.00pm

Thursdays Session: Attend: 2.30pm – 7.30pm on the last Thursday of each month 2.30pm – 7.30pm

Sojourner Truth Community Centre

161 Sumner Road, LondonSE15 6JL

  1. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

General

Volunteers are expected to comply with statutory requirements and the Trust’s employment policies while carrying out their work.Volunteers are expected to arrive and discuss any initiatives or plans for the session with project staff. Volunteers are also expected to come with a range of ideas so that they can interact with service users at the session. Project workers may ask volunteers to assist with kitchen duties but this is not the main duty of the volunteer. At the end of the session volunteers are there to help staff clear up the community centre. N.B some of the service users will want to help clear up and they should be given a chance to participate also.

Equal Opportunities

All volunteers must carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

Performance Review

Overall performance will be formally assessed and reviewed, with additional informal assessment taking place as necessary.

Health & Safety

All Volunteers are subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act. The post holder is required to pro-actively comply with their duties as described by the Trust Policy and objectives for health and Safety.

Confidentiality

All Volunteers are required to work in a confidential manner in all aspects of their work.