Description
Our befriending service, sponsored by Children in Need, is a fantastic and rewarding way to make a real difference to the life of someone else. Apart from the personal satisfaction of helping someone, it is also an opportunity to enhance your own life experience and build new skills.
Befrienders MUST have held a full driving licence for at least 2 years and have the use of a smoke free car.
A minimum commitment of 1 year is needed to ensure these goals can be met.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life limiting condition that currently affects around 1200 people in Scotland. The Butterfly Trust aspires to improving the quality of life for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis by providing support, promoting people's rights and helping them to live independently.
Our befrienders offer one to one face-to-face support to a young person aged 8 to 18, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Young people living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition.
A befriender will meet with the young person for around 3 hours every 1 to 2 weeks, away from the home environment, to build a trusting one to one relationship. A session might simply be an opportunity to chat, eg over a snack or coffee, or may involve a specific activity such as sport or creative/arts. This will allow the young person space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling.
Desirable qualities required include good listening skills, patience and an adaptable attitude.
Training and support is provided; and expenses reimbursed.
Organisation aims and objectives
Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, life limiting genetically inherited condition with 1 in 25 people carrying the faulty gene that causes the condition. There is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis. The Butterfly Trust is the leading provider of social support to the Cystic Fibrosis community of Scotland. We were founded in 2002 to provide face to face services for people with Cystic Fibrosis and their families. Our aim is that people living with Cystic Fibrosis will have access to the support they need to ensure they can benefit from optimum homecare and enjoy the best quality of life in the community.
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Meetings are regular - either weekly or fortnightly depending on the issues etc - and typically 2 - 3 hours each time. Appointment day and times are agreed between the client and befriender.
Frequency and commitment details
Meetings are regular - either weekly or fortnightly depending on the issues etc - and typically 2 - 3 hours each time. Appointment day and times are agreed between the client and befriender.
Restrictions
Must have held a clean driving licence for at least 2 years and have access to a smoke-free car. Insurance requires the driving licence restriction. Clients have lung disease, hence a smoke-free car.
Experience required: Good listening skills, patience, reliability and an adaptable attitude. Commitment for a minimum of one year.
Travel details: Within a reasonable distance of the befriender's and client's homes.
Minimum age: 19
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Travelling costs, mileage, postage/stationery, refreshments and cost of activities/materials when appropriate.
Training details: Induction is one day covering the condition, the befriending process and procedures, interpersonal skills, Trust procedures. One team day per year for ongoing training. Support from befriending co-ordinator member of Trust’s staff.
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer