LEAP (SL)

LEAP has provided befriending services to people aged 50 and over – often the most vulnerable people in our community. The aim of these services is to provide support and companionship to older people who may be isolated or lonely. Volunteers from the local community are recruited and trained to carry out the tasks requested above and are supported by a Volunteer Development Officer.


Current opportunities

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer driver? Do you enjoy driving and helping others? Do you own your own car? We have an exciting new opportunity for drivers to take guests to our friendship groups in Hamilton, Uddingston, Cambuslang, Rutherglen and East Kilbride. Most of the groups run on a fortnightly basis (a couple are weekly) and last for 1 and a half hours. Transport would need to be provided both ways. The drivers would be invited to stay at the group and enjoy a cuppa or simply come back at the end of the group. Travel expenses would be reimbursed and training would be provided. There would be no expectation of manual handling although walking aids would be required to be lifted into the boot.

The Hands on Project (HOP) is a well established project which provides an invaluable handyperson service to isolated members of the community who are frail, elderly, disabled or have mobility problems. The service provides practical assistance with minor tasks around the home such as changing smoke detector batteries, changing light bulbs or curtains or fitting new curtain or towel rails and many other tasks. We do not carry out decorating. Volunteers will not be asked to undertake tasks outside their comfort zone but will be allocated tasks according to their level of skill and expertise.

A befriender will be matched with an older person (50 and over) in their area that is isolated or lonely. They will spend time with them offering companionship to build their confidence and link them back into social activities. Many of our clients have very few visitors or people to go and see them so our volunteers spend time with someone whether through a cuppa and a chat in the clients home or a walk locally, with the hope that the volunteer will improve wellbeing, alleviate loneliness and isolation. We also run local friendship groups that the client can be linked into if able to get out and about.

A befriender will be matched with an older person (50 and over) in their area that is isolated or lonely. They will spend time with them offering companionship to build their confidence and link them back into social activities. Many of our clients have very few visitors or people to go and see them so our volunteers spend time with someone whether through a cuppa and a chat in the clients home or a walk locally, with the hope that the volunteer will improve wellbeing, alleviate loneliness and isolation. We also run local friendship groups that the client can be linked into if able to get out and about.