Befriender

Could you be a friend to an older person in West Berkshire? Volunteer to visit someone who is lonely or can't get out much.

Age UK Berkshire are looking for volunteers to befriend lonely or vulnerable older people in your local community.

Many older people live alone and have limited or no social contact - they may be new to the area, recently bereaved, or far away from their family. They would really love to see a friendly face from time to time.

What you will do:

As a befriender you will visit the person regularly in their home, usually during the daytime, building up a long-term relationship with them. During a visit you will spend quality time talking and listening. You may play cards or games, do craft activities, maybe take a short walk outdoors if the person is mobile.

What you will not be expected to do:

Personal care such as feeding or dressing; shopping; housework; giving medication, etc.

An Age UK volunteer coordinator will introduce you to each other and provide ongoing support and advice. You will update your coordinator on a regular basis and alert them to any issues or concerns.

Volunteers are required across the area, but there is currently a particular need in Tilehurst. It is also possible for volunteers to do telephone befriending.

About Age UK Berkshire

Age is different for everyone, of course, and the challenges and demands are different for everyone, too. Age UK Berkshire is many things to many people: a source of advice, information, support, companionship and enjoyment.

We are the leading organisation providing integrated health and wellbeing services for older people across Berkshire, a local independent charity and part of the Age UK brand.

We believe that everyone can love later life - we do this by inspiring, supporting and enabling in a number of ways:
To encourage choice and opportunity for older people.
To be a direct service provider of high quality services for older people.
To ensure that older people are aware of, and have access to, the benefits to which they are entitled.
To advocate on behalf of older people.
To promote positive attitudes towards older people and ageing.

We provide support and services that make a positive difference to the quality of older people's lives, including the most vulnerable and isolated.

We have around 160 hard-working and, in 2019, about 45 employees
Age UK Berkshire is an independent organisation responsible for its own funds and governance.

A Board of Trustees oversees the management of the organisation and they are responsible to Age UK Berkshire Members.

We work and support people in West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Ascot and Slough.

Age UK Berkshire recognises that individuals may face discrimination on the basis of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief or lack of, political belief or affiliation, gender, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, dependent-care requirements, social class, marital status, disability and, of course, age.

Our aim is to make our services fully inclusive and we acknowledge the needs of older people irrespective of your personal, social or other circumstances.

What skills do I need?

No experience is required - it's more important to be kind, caring and friendly. 

If you have spent time with older or disabled people before (e.g. family members), this can be helpful but is not essential.

You will be given training and ongoing support. 

You will be matched up with a client in your area and you can specify how far you are prepared to travel.

When is this role available?

This is a flexible role available on various days/times.

Details

Regular visits of about 1-2 hours a week, usually between 10am-5pm, day and time to be mutually agreed.

Where does this role take place?