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Befriender Volunteer

  • VO99989
  • Home-based volunteering

Description

Our Befriending service is here to support individuals towards recovery through weekly phone calls with a trained volunteer. Befriending is for anyone affected by any eating disorder and would like support in their recovery. Our service also supports carers', families and friends of anyone struggling with an eating disorder.

The aim of Befriending isn't about telling a befriendee what to do - it is a way of encouraging and suppporting to achieve a goal, change a behaviour, and develop or build on existing skills. This isn't a form of clinical therapy and is not intended as a replacement for professional, clinical treatment.

Befrienders will meet with their befriendees for one hour a week for the first three months, at which point the situation will be reviewed. The befriender and befriendee will meet for a maximum of 6-8 month.

Organisation aims and objectives

The charity was set up in 2014 by her family in memory of Linda Tremble, who sadly lost her battele with anorexia nervosa in 2011. Since 2019 we have expanded to become Scotland's leading community eating disorder charity and now hold support group meetings and one to one befriending for people over 18 with eating disorders and for parents, carers and families. The charity's work is underpinned by five values that guide how we behave and make decisions; supportive, accessible, inclusive, dedicated and professional. Our mission is that all those experiencing an eating disorder, their families and carers have information, support and connections in their own communities, in the ways that suit them best, to support their mental and physical health and wellbeing and aid their journey to recovery.

Frequency and commitment details

The opportunity takes place at a time and day that is mutually beneficial to the volunteer befriendee. Befrienders will meet with their befriendees for one hour a week for the first three months, at which point the situation will be reviewed. The befriender and befriendee will meet for a maximum of 6-8 month.

Restrictions

Experience required: Volunteers need: ● To be good listeners ● To be able to offer support and encouragement in a non-judgemental manner ● To have a good knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health issues, particularly eating disorders. Volunteers who have previously had an eating disorder must have been fully recovered for at least two years before taking on this role ● To have good timekeeping skills ● To be open and honest whilst also maintaining appropriate boundaries. ● To be articulate, with a good telephone manner and able to communicate in a warm and welcoming way ● To be patient, allowing befriendees to take recovery at their own pace. ● To be committed to attending regular training when required
Travel details: The opportunity can take place remotely (phone, video call) or in person.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer

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