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Volunteer Perinatal Befriender - East Lothian
- Aberlour Scotland's Children's Charity
- VO93409
- Befriending / Mentoring
- Lone Parents, Mental Health, Parents
- Opportunity start date: 18th September 2023
- Opportunity end date: 31st January 2024
Description
What will I be doing?:
Parents of babies who have received care in hospital from the neonatal team can experience perinatal mental health issues and feelings of isolation. 1 in 3 Mums/Mums to be and 1 in 10 Dads/Dads to be are affected by mental health issues in the Perinatal period – during pregnancy and up until their baby’s first birthday. Aberlour supports parents and babies born from 34 weeks gestation onwards who live in the Lothians with their emotional wellbeing, in recognition of the impact a neonatal journey can have for families. As a volunteer Perinatal befriender, you would be matched with a Mum/ Mum to be, who you will help by spending regular time together on a 1:1 basis, building a trusting relationship and reducing social isolation. Befrienders come from a range of backgrounds and are aged 18 and over – there is no upper age limit to become a befriender!
Impact you can make:
Feedback from families who have had befriending support tells us a Befriender can be life changing. A befriender can provide emotional support to help build positive relationships between parents and their baby and improve parents’ mental health. Accessing activities in the community, going for a walk, or talking over a cuppa are some of the ways in which a Befriender can make a real difference for parents and their babies. A Mum who used our service recently said, “My befriender is like a wee rainbow coming in to make everything better”.
Benefits to you as a volunteer:
As a volunteer you will receive high quality training including Perinatal Mental Health and Child Protection. You will also gain practical experience of helping families affected by their experience of neonatal care with ongoing support from our staff team throughout your befriending journey. You will meet a range of new people and be filled with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you have helped make an unforgettable, positive difference to parents, babies and families.
Organisation aims and objectives
Aberlour is the largest, solely Scottish, children’s charity and we provide help to over 6000 of Scotland’s most vulnerable children, young people and their families each year. Our aim is to help those children most in need, working with as many children and families as our resources allow in the areas of: • Children and families affected by disability • Children and families affected by drugs and alcohol • Young People at Risk • Parent and Child Development Our mission is to improve the lives of Scotland's children and young people. The Trust shall have the following Charitable Purposes (the Charitable Purposes): (a) to provide, maintain and promote care, accommodation, support, training and/or services for: (i) children and young persons who are in need of care, protection, assistance and/ or training; (ii) in exceptional circumstances, those who were previously children or young persons assisted by the Trust who remain vulnerable and/or disadvantaged and therefore remain in need of care, protection, assistance and/ or training; and (iii) vulnerable and/or disadvantaged adults whose assistance by the Trust will provide care, protection and/or assistance to children and young persons; and (b) to provide, maintain and promote education, training, consultancy, research and information: (i) for the beneficiaries listed in (a), as may be required to meet their specific educational and physical needs; (ii) for current and prospective individuals and agencies involved, whether through the Trust or otherwise, with issues relating principally to the types of beneficiaries listed in (a); and (iii) for members of the public generally and decision-makers about the activities of the Trust and issues arising therefrom.
Availability
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1-3 hours a week over a 12 month period if possible
Restrictions
Experience required: Befriender’s come from a range of backgrounds and anyone aged 18 and over – there is no upper age limit to become a befriender!
The qualities we look for in volunteers are reliability, the ability to relate to and empathise with mothers/mothers to be and their aspirations. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially listening skills. The ability to be non-judgemental, self-aware, patient, understanding, flexible, positive and supportive in all situations
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Travel
Taster available: Yes
Support:
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