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

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 monthly social events.

Black Isle Cares Befriending Service is looking for new volunteers to provide social support to vulnerable members of local communities in the Black Isle. The duties and responsibilities of a BIC befriender can be many and varied as the relationship is unique and tailored to the needs of the individual person. Client related activities may include: •Telephone befriending support and/or welfare checks •Supporting patients and their carers in their own home or care establishment providing friendship and social support •Providing a "listening ear" and companionship (reading, chatting, letter writing) •Providing respite for carers for short periods (up to maximum of three hours) as agreed •Offering opportunities to participate in social/recreational and daily living activities (may go out on trips) Volunteers do not provide or involve themselves in personal care, counselling, medical care, domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning, or financial and legal matters. Anyone interested in volunteering should email an application form to befriending@blackislecares.com or call 07720 168266 for further information.

Berwickshire Housing Association and The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland financially contribute to and support the Befriend Project to help people living in Berwickshire and Kelso who are over the age of 65 to maintain social connections and engage with their local communities. The BeFriend Project does this with the invaluable help of a team of volunteers who: • Support people to attend and engage with community events. • Visit a befriendee on a one to one basis • Telephone Befriending • Provide transport to community activities and outings • Other volunteering opportunities using volunteers personal talents and expertise. These voluntary roles can open up new opportunities and you will get so much in return Friendship, laughter and fun. Volunteering has been shown to make a significant difference to peoples wellbeing and also gives something back to the community. Volunteers are reimbursed for their mileage, reasonable expenses. They also have access to information and support sessions to enhance their volunteer role. Benefits to volunteers: The chance to give something back to your community. The chance to get to know your community. Better confidence. Become part of our friendly team and help reduce loneliness and isolation.