Home About us For volunteers For organisations For groups Find opportunities Contact us

Find opportunities

Befriending / Mentoring

Volunteer Telephone Befrienders

  • Real Life Options (Scottish Borders)
  • VO85067

Description

Real Life Options is a charity which has services located all throughout the UK in various locations. We offer services such as Day Centres, Outreach and supported living to support people within our care to live their lives as full as possible.
Loneliness at this time is heightened and the current social distancing measures are particularly difficult for some people. This role is for someone who loves a good chat but is also good listener. You will spend 30 minutes once or twice a week chatting to someone who would benefit from a telephone friend. Your calls can make a massive difference to a person’s happiness and wellbeing. During these difficult and unsettling times, more than ever the people we support would benefit from any time and commitment from yourselves.

The best gift you can give someone is your time.

Main tasks
Will include; chatting and befriending people, and provide regular, friendly and person-centred conversations with the people we support. You will be matched with people based on their interests and preferences. Your involvement will support people within our services to feel less isolated and will focus on each individual’s strengths, helping them to remain connected, feel valued and more confident.

Required skills, qualities and experience.
Be able to make time, once or twice a week, to contact your new ‘phone friend’, up to a period of three months. Good listener and empathetic ,Honest and reliable ,Friendly and calm Enjoy phone calls and be confident speaking to new people. Can maintain confidentiality. You'll need to let your service manager know if there are any concerns or if the person you are calling needs support.

Where and when will volunteering take place
This can be done from home and the times and days the volunteer would like to offer are completely flexible.

Commitment required
For continuity and routine we look for at least 2 hours per week for the benefit of the service user and the volunteer to build and maintain relationships.

Restrictions

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: All agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed which includes travel, phone call expenses etc.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

Last updated 3 months ago

Similar opportunities

2nd Hawick Boys' Brigade are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help lead games and sporty activities for their children and young people in the Anchors and Junior Sections, working with Primary 2 - Primary 6 aged children. The group meets on Wednesday evenings during term-time, taking part in a wide range of activities including crafts, games, sports, cooking, life skills and community projects.
Find out more
You don't need to be a social media or marketing expert for this role - just able to use the internet, email and confident talking to people. We’ll tell you about our latest national fundraising activities, emergency appeals and campaign messages so you can tell others and encourage them to take part, support and attend events. You’ll research local opportunities, and contact local businesses, schools and local groups. You’ll also find free ways to tell your community about what’s happening locally and nationally. The Community Fundraising Manager is only a phone call away for support and you’ll meet up with them regularly to make promotional plans and for any mutual updates. It’s a really flexible role which can fit around your other commitments. If you’re over 18 and can commit to at least two hours a week for a minimum of six months please get in touch.
Find out more
Retail Volunteer
  • Save the Children
Our Save the Children Shop in Broughty Ferry has been a much loved part of the local community for years and continues to be hugely popular with customers and supporters, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the wonderful volunteer team. If you would like to volunteer with us all you will need is some enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. The role is diverse, taking place on the shop floor and behind the scenes. Volunteer tasks include anything from sorting donations, steaming clothes, pricing products, managing the till, and helping with the window displays. You can choose how much time you dedicate, and we’ll give you training and support along the way. No special skills are needed, and we welcome people from all nationalities and backgrounds. Your donation of time, creativity and kindness can help us change the future for children all over the world!
Find out more
Living Well Support Volunteer
  • The Ayrshire Hospice
This role is to support people living in our communities to live well with their illness. We currently do this in a variety of ways – face to face in our Hubs, online via zoom, and via activity packs in the post. You could support us in any or all of these formats. The time you would commit to this role would be flexible. Ideally, we would like ongoing (weekly) commitment to the service, particularly for face to face service and social chat online. However, if you can commit a period of time regularly to the hospice e.g. a creative writing course for 6 weeks we would also consider this. The benefits you will receive include: -The opportunity to gain experience in the charity sector -Take on a new challenge and meet new people -Opportunity to make a difference to your community -Learn and develop new skills and use existing skills to help others -Training and support to carry out your role -Reimbursement of expenses in accordance with our volunteer expenses policy
Find out more