Opportunity

Role Title:

Befriender

Where:

Various Abbeyfield & Wesley houses

When/commitment

1-2 hours per week, mutually agreeable times

Purpose of the opportunity

To spend time with a resident and offer company and friendship.

About the opportunity:

 This is an opportunity for you to give a small amount of time while knowing you are making a real difference to the life of an older person and helping to alleviate loneliness. 

This role will involve spending time with one of our residents, chatting with them and sharing interests. It may involve visiting the Abbeyfield house or taking them out to the shops, going for a walk or a coffee. If you're a caring individual who could spend time with a resident and offer company and friendship, we'd love to hear from you.

Abbeyfield & Wesley is a member of the Abbeyfield movement, a national charity dedicated providing housing and support for older people. We believe in the importance of making time for older people, and our volunteers play a vital role in doing just that. For more information, please visit our website www.abbeyfieldandwesley.org.uk

About Abbeyfield:

Abbeyfield & Wesley is a charitable housing association, which has its roots in voluntary action. We’re not just about bricks and mortar – the recognition that overcoming loneliness and insecurity can make all the difference to an older person’s well-being and quality of life; and that local people have an essential part to play in helping older people in the community have been fundamental to Abbeyfield’s guiding principles from its beginning in 1956 up to the present day.

Experience and/or skills

For this role, ideally you would:

·         Be a caring and enthusiastic person who is able to build relationships with a wide range of people

·         Be reliable and trustworthy

·         Have a good sense of humour

We ask all our volunteers to:

• be reliable and have the ability to relate well to others
• have a warm, friendly, adaptable, caring approach
• be open-minded and tolerant of different lifestyle and values
• be able to work within personal and organisational boundaries

Practical considerations:

This role will require an Enhanced Access NI check. In some cases, a current driver’s licence / use of your own car may be required. We will also ask you to provide the names of two people who can provide a character reference for you.

How volunteering with Abbeyfield will make a difference to you:

This is an opportunity for you to give a small amount of time while knowing you are making a real difference to the lives of an older person and helping to alleviate loneliness.

In addition:

• We will reimburse you with any agreed appropriate expenses  
• Provide you with any training you need to carry out your role
• You'll be supported by our small, friendly house team
• You’ll have lots of fun and get to spend time with our inspirational residents

Interested?

Please get in touch.

Email volunteering@abbeyfieldandwesley.org.uk or call 07436 036182 to speak to Sally Campton, our Community Engagement Manager.