Befriender Volunteer

Role Details

Requres DBS:
Yes

Expenses Given:
Yes

Own Transport Required:
Yes

Disability Friendly:
Yes

Description

Purpose of the Role 

To be a valued member of a friendly 0-19 team making a difference to local families and their communities. To provide caring, empathetic and holistic support to families receiving support from Family Action and the wider Stockton on Tees Partnership. 

What’s in it for you?

  • Making a difference to the lives of people in your community 
  • Developing new skills; increased confidence and self-esteem 
  • Opportunity to improve future employment prospects 
  • Opportunity to build a portfolio of your training, skills, experience and qualities 
  • Being part of a team and becoming a part of Family Action, a national charity with 150 years of experience supporting families 
  • Support and guidance from Volunteer coordinator including 1-1 and group supervision 
  • Regular training and development opportunities 
  • Out of pocket expenses  
  • A reference

  • Meet and greet parents/carers and possibly their children and make them feel welcome and relaxed.  
  • Provide additional signposting to Service Users where a need for support has been requested or identified. 
  • To ensure safe and agreed practices are always adhered to. 
  • Volunteers will need to gain an understanding (appropriate to your role) of, and comply with, all relevant Family Action Policies and procedures. 
  • Record your volunteer hours and submit to Family Action 

This role would suit people who:

  • Are empathetic and good listeners. 
  • Have a non-judgemental approach to others. 
  • Have good relationship-building skills. 
  • Have an awareness of the need for professional boundaries when working with vulnerable people. 
  • Have a warm, approachable, and friendly manner. 
  • Able to understand the causes and impact of social isolation. 
  • Confident in new situations. 
  • Basic computer skills would be helpful in some Befriending roles. 

Training and support you will receive  

As a volunteer with Family Action, you will get: 

  • Access to our standard e-learning package, giving you a great basic introduction to topics such as Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity. 
  • Face-to-face training to ensure that you are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for this role. 
  • Regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss any challenges you are facing, and celebrate your progress in the role.  
  • Ongoing support from your supervisor and the wider team. 

 

The Volunteer Recruitment Process:  

  • We ask you to complete an application form.  
  • We invite you to an informal meeting to explore your application and suitability for the role. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions to help you decide for yourself whether the role is right for you.  
  • If you decide to proceed with your enquiry, you will be asked to provide two references and undertake a DBS check. 
  • Once we receive satisfactory references and a DBS check you will be provided with e-learning login details and invited to undertake the Induction programme and a start date will be agreed. 
  • You will be provided with ongoing support through regular supervision meetings, regular training opportunities and any other support as required. 

Apply for this position

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