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Deafblind UK
,
Banbridge, Down
Befriender - Be a friend to Brenda
Overview
Job Description
Make a difference and brighten Brenda's day with a visit! Our member, Brenda, lives alone in the Banbridge area of County Down. Due to her sight loss and arthritis, she finds herself spending more and more time alone at home and is increasingly feeling lonely and cut off from her local community. She says she feels quite isolated and would like the opportunity to try and get out for a coffee locally. She is very much hoping there may be a friendly local volunteer who can spare a couple of hours, preferably on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon, to pay her a visit. Brenda loves a chat, has an interest in current affairs and enjoys listening to Country Music on the radio. In the past, she used to regularly attend her local Presbytarian church. No experience is required just a warm heart and the ability to chat and listen knowing you are having a positive effect on our member's life. Why not apply today and be the friendly face Brenda is looking for..... We welcome all applications during this time and, where possible, will start all befriending roles by phone until such time as face to face visits can resume. What is a Volunteer Befriender? A Volunteer Home or Social Befriender will regularly visit a deafblind person in their own home or at another mutually convenient location to engage in or support them in social, leisure and practical activities as appropriate, to build and maintain social interaction and independence. Thus, breaking isolation and improving their quality of life. The activities which may include: * Engaging in conversation or other activities as appropriate to build and maintain friendship e.g. chat and a cup of tea or going for local walks. * Providing information about local leisure opportunities and transport options * Accompanying the person to the first few meetings of one or more social or leisure groups or activities in the local community, e.g. the W.I., swimming pool, University of the 3rd Age, community walking groups, a local deafblind group or activity What's involved? As a Volunteer Home/Social Befriender your role will be: * Establishing and building a befriending relationship and enabling our member to socialise and link to social events within the community * To visit an identified person at a mutually convenient time and place to engage in activities as described above and appropriate to normal companionship (Deafblind UK will work to match you with an individual with similar interests who would benefit from your life experiences) * To provide advice and guidance to the member at a level appropriate within a mutual companionship. * To supervise the member as required in specific tasks ie gardening. * To take charge of communication and guiding support as needed with the member to enable local walks, or enable them to access activities at their chosen meeting location * Providing regular updates of your volunteering activity to your Deafblind UK named contact What times do I need to commit to? * This role requires a regular commitment of time to regularly visit our member, normally weekly at a mutually convenient time and place. The role will suit people who are ... * Willing to share their own personal interests with our member who have the same or similar interests * Willing to engage in conversations with our members to share interests * Willing to learn communication and guiding techniques to meet the needs of our members with combined sight and hearing loss (full training will be provided) * You must be over 18 to take up this role What are the benefits to you? * Opportunities to meet like-minded people in your community * Be part of a friendly, supportive and dedicated team * The satisfaction of knowing you will be making a difference to real people's lives * New communications skills * Establishing positive employability skills to help you in your career path How do we support you? We ensure all volunteers who join our team are well equipped to undertake any tasks and will provide training and supervision throughout your journey with us. Any specific training will be outlined within your onboarding and induction stages and then discussed at your reviews with your Deafblind UK named contact.