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Pet and Companion (PEACE) Volunteers

  • VO96766

Description

Do you have an interest in pastoral care, some free time and a lovely, gentle dog? Then volunteering for Pet and Companion (PEACE for short) could be for you and your furry friend!

PEACE is a charity providing Canine Therapy along with Pastoral Care for people in need of support and companionship, particularly: the elderly; patients receiving end of life care; students during stressful periods; and vulnerable women.

Pastoral Carers and their therapy dogs (PEACE Teams) visit people in need of support and companionship in various locations, including: Care Homes; University and College campuses; and community hubs. Ideally, PEACE Teams will volunteer for a couple of hours a week/fortnight in order to build relationships with the people they visit.

The PEACE dog helps to provide a relaxing environment (the basis of canine therapy), while the Pastoral Carer offers both a listening ear and a means of support, happy to talk through any concerns or fears a person may have (pastoral care).

The role of a PEACE Pastoral Carer is similar to that of a befriender. All Pastoral Carers are therefore Christians, and are comfortable praying and/or discussing their faith with the people they visit, if requested.

All PEACE Pastoral Carers receive training in Mental Health First Aid, attentive listening and dementia awareness. Volunteers will also become members of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme.

For information about volunteering or any other enquiries about PEACE, please contact Georgie Treharne-Hulks, Volunteer Manager at email: georgie@petandcompanion.com Further information is also available at www.petandcompanion.com

Organisation aims and objectives

Founded in Aberdeen at the end of 2016, Pet and Companion (PEACE) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), providing Pastoral Care along with Canine Therapy to people in need of support and companionship, particularly: the elderly; patients receiving end of life care; and students during stressful periods. Our aim is to help alleviate the loneliness and isolation experienced by many of those we visit, and thereby improve people’s mental health and general well-being.

Frequency and commitment details

Flexible times available to help. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Restrictions

Experience required: PEACE Pastoral Carers must be cheerful, caring, compassionate and good listeners. Potential volunteers must also have a lovely, gentle dog to accompany them on these visits. Training in Mental Health First Aid and Dementia Awareness will be provided by PEACE.
Travel details: PEACE visits can take place either: -all over the Aberdeen area, including in various care homes and at The University of Aberdeen. -from our PEACE branch serving Edinburgh and the Lothians based out of the Eric Liddell Community Hub, Morningside Road (EH10 4DP). We ask volunteers which group of people they would prefer to support, then aim to find a convenient location for the new PEACE Team to visit.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Training details: Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. All PEACE volunteers receive Mental Health First Aid and attentive listening training (a 2-day course); Dementia Awareness training for those visiting people in care homes (one morning/online). Suggested reading about various topics relating to Mental Health can be provided for those wishing to deepen their knowledge.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

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