Volunteer Scotland

Older People Befriending Service COVID-19 Support Volunteers

  • VO83462

Description

Help people who feel alone - just a few hours a week from you could make the future brighter for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation.

Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which helps people who may be lonely or at risk of loneliness and social isolation.

-What our volunteers do:
Loneliness and social isolation affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Being or feeling alone can have a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as on communities, hospitals and other public services. Through just a few hours a week, you could provide a huge help for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation.

-Support for people and volunteering during COVID-19 Pandemic:
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our befriending service to our older people has now transitioned from face to face to phone/video contact. We now also offer shopping, prescription collection etc. where necessary to the older people. Depression is also a major issue so our befrienders are needing to keep in touch more often than before to ensure their Befriendees are safe and sound and to offer any possible support.

-How to get involved:
We provide volunteer support to tackle loneliness in the following areas of Aberdeen:

  • Stoneywood
  • Seaton
  • Bucksburn
  • Northfield
  • Bridge of Don
  • Dyce

If you would like to volunteer with us, send us an email or give us a ring and we will contact you within a few days to provide further details and discuss how you can get involved. Our email is info@handofsolace.co.uk , or by phoning the contact number- 07378432436.

Organisation aims and objectives

Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organization working with isolated/lonely elders and young people by offering direct services and support , all designed to help people make the most of life.

Frequency and commitment details

The activities of the volunteers with their befriendees may be at any time depending on the agreement between the volunteer and the befriendee on when suits them best.

Restrictions

Experience required: We are keen to recruit volunteer befrienders who are caring, good listeners, responsible, understanding, trustworthy, kind and flexible.
Travel details: Our Volunteer Befrienders carry out agreed activities with their matched friend within Aberdeen City.
Minimum age: 16

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: .We reimburse travel expenses up to £7 per day. Receipts must be provided, and volunteers may fill out the Monthly Report Sheet where they can state any work related expenses which have been prior approved by the Volunteers Co-ordinator. Volunteers are reimbursed at the end of the month except in significant circumstance where the management may decide to reimburse weekly.
Training details: Good training and ongoing support is provided to all volunteers. Includes induction, health and safety and befriending skills guidance.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

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