Volunteer Befrienders required in Ystradgynlais area for RAF Association
Description
The RAF Association is a member-led welfare charity that exists to ensure all members of the RAF family are supported in terms of welfare, when they require it. The Befriender role is at the heart of this charity objective and volunteers undertaking this role will be helping us to deliver this support to the RAF family. Essentially the aim of the Befriender role is to help alleviate isolation and loneliness, giving time to listen and encourage communication on a shared interest or topic, leading to improving and developing enjoyable social networks.
A Befriender volunteer carries out visits to and keeps in touch with members of the RAF family on behalf of the Association. Befriender volunteers exist to provide companionship and to deliver outcome focussed support to a beneficiary and to ensure that they remain part of the community and feel socially connected to the wider family. The role of a Befriender is varied and could involve helping out with practical tasks such as driving someone to a doctor’s appointment, or helping them with their shopping.
Befriender volunteers are required to:
• Regularly meet with a beneficiary, either in their home or at a mutually agreed location
• Listen to, and engage with the beneficiary, promoting positive outlooks and raised self-esteem
• Work within the remit of the Befriending Plan and promote activities to meet the identified outcomes.
• Research into local community groups and activities to find relevant interests for the beneficiary.
• Identify ways to connect with other beneficiaries to promote friendship groups.
• Identify any additional areas of support and make referrals to the Area Welfare Officer (AWO) if required.
• Keep a note of visits undertaken, with recommendations and actions. Provide this information and regular updates to the AWO.
Befriender volunteers need to be:
• Caring and empathetic, with the ability to build a rapport with others and put them at ease, through a friendly and sensitive approach
• Good listeners and communicators
• Reliable and dependable
• Flexible in terms of who you will support and occasionally with the time you will visit them
• Able to put people who may be anxious or worried, at their ease
• Aware of some local social groups the beneficiary could get involved in or be able to research this for them
In addition, Befriender volunteers will need to be aged at least 18 or over and have:
• Access to a car and be prepared to use it for RAF Association volunteer work
• Some roles in particular areas may not require this, depending on where beneficiaries are based geographically, in relation to the volunteer, or if public transport is available or the volunteer has another means of transport.
• The insurance company you are with will need to be alerted to the fact your car is being used for volunteer (business) use.
Volunteers should also be able to work confidentially, in a non-judgemental manner and in line with the RAF Association Volunteer Agreement which you will be asked to sign or adhere to.
Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed in line with RAF Association volunteering policies.
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
Befriender volunteers are required to attend a one day training course which is free and for which expenses will be paid.