Description
At Barnardo’s across Perth and Kinross the children and young people we support will be or have been affected by parental substance use, poor parental mental health, domestic violence or have an additional support need. They may also have experienced impact of poverty, neglect and abuse, homelessness, their own poor mental health and emerging substance use issues, as well as a care histories and behavioural issues.
Volunteer befrienders/mentors provide quality one to one time to a child, young person or parent and are there to provide a listening ear, to talk and support the child, young person or parent to access leisure and recreational opportunities. We occasionally will have opportunities for 2:1 befriender roles to help build up people’s confidence as a befriender before doing lone working. Befrienders will focus on building their child’s or parents confidence and resilience as well as reducing their isolation and encouraging them to get more involved in the local community. We have roles available to help either children, young people or parents-volunteers can choose the role that they do with Barnardo’s.
Befriending activities will vary according to the individual needs of the child/young person/parent and the role will involve being in the community helping them to access and enjoy activities that are local to them and to help develop skills and interests. For example, some of the children/young peoples/parents need support to go to an activity in the community and some need someone to talk to one to one. Volunteers provide vital support to children, young people and parents which helps the individuals to build up confidence, meet new people and access local activities. Some of the befriending roles may take place during school hours in a school setting (or during school hours when supporting a parent) but usually the roles supporting children and young people will take place after school hours, early evenings and weekends.
We are also looking for volunteers who have experience and knowledge in supporting children and young people with additional support needs and who may have knowledge with using Makaton. Previous experience is not essential with children and young people with additional support needs but for some of our roles previous experience would be much welcomed.
• Minimum age 18 (but can start the induction process at 17)
• Minimum of 2 hours per week or 2 hours per fortnight (Monday-Sunday-during school, after school, evenings, weekends)
• Befriender roles are across Perth and Kinross but the matching process would take into account locality and vehicle access.
• Travel expenses provided within Perth and Kinross Boundaries
• 6 month commitment for a befriender role
Organisation aims and objectives
Barnardo's Scotland provides more than 122 community-based services throughout the country working with over 26,500 vulnerable children, young people and their families. Services include: leaving care services which help young people to bridge the gap between being in care and living in the adult world, family activity services which work to support families in trouble, disability services supporting children with disabilities and offering short breaks to their families. Our website provides a search for local services.
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Restrictions
Experience required: Barnardo’s are looking for volunteers who are passionate about working with children and young people and/or parents-are reliable, responsible, can use their own initiative, caring and have great communication skills. If you have had experience before working with children and young people and children and young people with additional support needs or have knowledge about drug and alcohol substance use this would be desirable for this role but not essential.
Travel details: Befriender roles are across Perth and Kinross but the matching process would take into account locality and vehicle access.
Travel expenses provided within Perth and Kinross Boundaries
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Volunteer can claim travel expenses (Perth and Kinross boundaries) and any expenses related to the agreed activities for the sessions.
Training details: Various training topics including: Safeguarding, Child Protection, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, GDPR, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer