Telephone Befrienders

Role: Volunteer Telephone Befriender
Location: Remote / telephone-based
Commitment: Approximately 1 hour per week for a minimum of 6 months

Following recruitment, training and onboarding, volunteers are carefully matched with a client aged 50+ based on interests, availability and other relevant considerations.

Volunteers arrange a suitable time with their client and make a regular weekly telephone call. Calls are friendly and informal and might include conversations about hobbies, family, current affairs, memories, books, music, television or simply how the client's week has been.

Volunteers are supported throughout their placement by the We Are Listening team and are never expected to provide counselling, crisis support or professional advice.

Experience required

Active listening and communication skills
Empathy and person-centred communication
Confidence communicating with people from different backgrounds and life experiences
Understanding of loneliness, social isolation and wellbeing
Safeguarding awareness
Professional boundaries and confidentiality
Reliability, consistency and personal responsibility
Reflective practice
Relationship-building skills
Experience of volunteering within a structured charitable organisation
Experience of supporting older adults within the community

Travel details

No travel this is a remote telephone based role.

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Availability

Frequency & commitment

1 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months

I want to volunteer