Sensory Impairment

Volunteer Role Description

Volunteer role: Home-based Virtual Deaf Befriender

Goals:

To help enhance the quality of life for older deaf people in the community and residential homes by reducing social isolation.

Suggested tasks:

• Spend time on a regular basis with older deaf people in the community via video call.

• Provide friendship, support and other activities on a 1:1 basis. It would be good if you:

• Are sensitive and empathetic towards other people

• Have a positive attitude

• Are open-minded and non-judgemental

• Can listen actively

• Are friendly, reliable, trustworthy and honest

• Are aware of issues affecting deaf people

• Are committed to the wellbeing of others especially the older community

• Have BSL to at least Level 2

• Have access to a computer, laptop or tablet at home for video calls

• Are confident using video call software e.g. Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Wattsap

Training/learning needed:

Action on Hearing Loss NI offers full, on-going training for all volunteers, including a one-day induction programme with optional OCN qualification. In addition, you will have a half-day training session in the role of befriender including boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding.

*NB Training provided is currently under review due to Covid-19 and will be delivered in a digital format.

Time:

Weekly or fortnightly contact with service user by video call

Location:

Across Northern Ireland in each of the five Health and Social Care Trust Areas

Support and supervision:

You will be supported by the Deaf Befriending Manager

Benefits: What will you gain by becoming a volunteer for Action on Hearing Loss?

? Have the satisfaction of helping older deaf people in your community

? Get regular one-to-one support from our Deaf Befriending Officer

? Receive training and learn new skills

? Meet people from different backgrounds

? Build new friendships with other Action on Hearing Loss volunteers

? Have the opportunity to try other volunteering roles within Action on

Hearing Loss

? Have all expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering reimbursed,

according to the Action on Hearing Loss expenses policy