Outreach Home Befriending Role

BASIS have a Befriending Service which supports adults with sight loss in South Essex, helping to reduce isolation increase confidence and promote independent living. We recognize and value the wide and diverse range of skills and experiences that volunteers can bring to support our much needed outreach Befriending Service.

Not everyone has the support that they can rely on to help them get through difficult times and major life changes. An Outreach Befriending Volunteer can help fill this gap by providing a supportive relationship, helping to build trust, raising confidence, combating social isolation and enhancing the quality of a client’s life. Outreach Befriending Volunteers at BASIS are in a position of trust as they will work on a one to one basis around the needs of the visually impaired. 

Please note:  The client's home address will be based within 8 miles of the volunteer's home address, or in the Rayleigh, Rochford and Hullbridge area.

What skills do I need?

The roles and tasks are varied and mutually agreed but will be governed by the policies and procedures of the project, e.g. helping someone get out of their house more, having a cup of tea at a café, going for a walk, visiting the client’s home and talking about shared interests/hobbies, supporting the client by reading out loud any letters/documents that the client may have.  

Outreach Befrienders are volunteers who have gone through a process of recruitment, completed BASIS training, induction and DBS check.  Their work is monitored, supported and supervised by the Coordinator (Sarah-Jane).

Responsibilities / Tasks

·        Develop and promote a positive relationship with the service user with whom the volunteer is matched.

·        Have good listening and communication skills

·        Be non-judgmental in approach.

·        Manage appropriate boundaries in the befriending relationship

·        Meet with the client on a weekly (or regular) basis as arranged; agree activities ensuring that these comply with the projects safety requirements/policies.

·        Be consistent and dependable when working with a service user

·        Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the policies and procedures of the project

·        Outreach Befriending Volunteers Work in conjunction with the Outreach Coordinator to provide a quality service

·        Maintain records for monitoring, evaluation and tracking purposes plus service evaluation

·        Participating in regular support and supervision meetings with the Outreach Coordinator

·        Be part of any relevant staff team training days

·        Record and claim out-of-pocket travel expenses on a monthly basis

Interests

• Disability
• Health and Social Care
• No specific interest
• Older People
• Young People

Activities

• Administration and Office
• General Helping
• Local Events
• Supporting Charities
• Supporting People and Befriending