Befriender

What’s involved? 

You will help older people feel less lonely by providing a listening ear, engaging them in conversation and to listen with interest. Your role will be to: 

• Promote ageing in a positive way
• Help others to adapt to changes
• Refer and signpost an older person to other organisations and agencies that may support their health and well-being
• Encourage older people to attend social groups e.g. coffee mornings or one-off events, accompanying them to improve their self confidence
• Undertake any other reasonable activities aimed at enhancing an older person’s quality of life e.g. a walk to a shop, visit a park
• Complete and return monthly visit sheets and feed back to the Counselling/Befriending Service Manager 

What knowledge do I need? 

As a Befriender, it would be beneficial (but not essential) for you to: 

• Have Experience of older people’s issues
• Have experience or some knowledge of transitional life events e.g. retirement, divorce, ill-health
• Understand how life events can impact on physical and mental health/wellbeing
• Be willing to find out about local services and how to support individuals to use them
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What skills do I need? 

As a Befriender, we ask that you:

• A passion to make a difference to people’s lives
• Have good listening and communication skills
• Have an interest in and empathy/compassion for older people
• Ability to provide non-judgemental support and encouragement to people who struggle with memory or illness
• Are able to respect confidentiality even in difficult situations
• Are honest, reliable, committed with a flexible approach to meet clients’ needs 

• A full/clean driving licence

   

You will not be required to provide personal care (e.g. feeding, washing) or give direct medical advice or medication to clients.  But you will need to undertake an enhanced DBS check prior to starting. We will cover the cost of this and complete this for you.