Volunteer Befriender

  • VO96211


Description

Become a Volunteer Befriender

Want to make a difference to the lives of disabled people in your
community? Discover new interests? Meet new people? Look no
further than our fantastic volunteer befriending opportunity!
Equal Futures creates connections for people with a learning
disability or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and their family
carers through Circles of Support, befriending and social events.
By joining our caring and knowledgeable team you will support
someone to build their confidence and access opportunities they
might previously have been isolated from.
You will benefit from training and on-going skills development. You
will also receive friendly and professional support from our Project
Coordinators.

Our Befrienders play a crucial role within society. They can improve
the self-esteem of someone with a learning disability who is lonely
and isolated within their community. Befrienders also take the
burden off other community services by simply providing someone
with a friend to connect with.

What will you do as a Volunteer Befriender?

As part of the Circle of Support, Befrienders help a person we
support build their confidence and participate in social activities
within their community.

This may include going for walks, participating in clubs or classes together, or attending Equal Future’s social events. Befrienders meet one-on-one with the person we support weekly or fortnightly. As a volunteer you may sometimes also offer kind and friendly support to not only the individual, but their family as well, depending on the circumstance. An Equal Futures Project Co-ordinator will be there for you throughout your entire volunteering experience.
You’ll enjoy lots of benefits being a Volunteer Befriender, such as:
• Learning from an experienced and knowledgeable team
• Meeting new people and sharing insights
• Volunteering on a flexible basis that fits in with your life
• Access to free training and regular support
• Social opportunities with other volunteers
• Improved self-esteem and confidence
• Improved communication skills
• Advantageous for relevant careers
• Reduced loneliness and better mental health
• Feeling valued in our friendly team
• Seeing the difference that you’re making
We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We will work flexibly with you to ensure your volunteering journey is a positive and satisfying experience.

To apply, please contact:

Donna.McCallum@equalfutures.org.uk | 0792 139 7615

Organisation aims and objectives

Equal Futures is a charity which was founded by a group of parents with a relative with a learning disability or autism spectrum disorder. We refer to these individuals as people we support, and due to the unique viewpoint of our founders as parents, we are committed to supporting the family as a whole. Just like our founders, we want to support adults aged 16 and over with a learning disability or autism spectrum disorder to lead a good quality of life.

Availability

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Morning
Afternoon
Evening

No set days or times. The position is flexible to suit both the volunteer and the beneficiary.

Frequency and commitment details

No set days or times. The position is flexible to suit both the volunteer and the beneficiary. Flexible 3 Hours, Fortnightly No set days or times. The position is flexible to suit both the volunteer and the beneficiary. This applies to expense payment frequency

Restrictions

No Gender Restriction, None
Experience required: Befriending / Mentoring,Community Development / Social work,Event Management / Organising,Fundraising, Caring,Creative,Good Communicator,Good Listener,Hard Working,Open minded,Organised,Patient,Practical,Reliable / Dependable,Sociable,Social Conscience,Team Player,Trustworthy,Lived experience always welcome
Travel details: The opportunity takes place at multiple location across South Lanarkshire Across South Lanarkshire,Blantyre,Bothwell,Cambuslang,Carluke,East Kilbride,Glasgow,Hamilton,High Blantyre,Lanark,Larkhall,New Lanark,Rutherglen,Strathaven,Uddingston,Airdrie,North Lanarkshire
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Full expenses will be reimbursed PVG will be paid for
Training details: Full face to face training LMS training online
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer