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Perinatal Befriender

  • Aberlour - Falkirk
  • VO93512

Description

Around 1:3 Mums/Mums to be and 1:10 Dads/Dads to be are affected by mental health issues in the Perinatal period – during pregnancy and up until their baby’s first birthday. 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. Befriender’s come from a range of backgrounds and anyone aged 18 and over – there is no upper age limit to become a befriender!

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”

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 Perinatal Mental Health issues 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 supports children, young people and families to give them the best chance to flourish, and we’ve been doing it for over 140 years. We work with families, listening to them, to make sure they get the help they need and want, so we don’t take a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We are progressive in our approach to work and we encourage and support our staff to be innovative and proactive in improving what we do to get better outcomes for children. We’re really proud of our work, our staff and volunteers across Scotland and we live by the values that drive our passion to ensure every child has the chance to flourish. Our values of respect, integrity, innovative and challenging reflect what we are, how we do things and where we want to be.

Availability

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Flexible - to be discussed. Meet with their befriendee once a week/3hours. 1 year commitment. 1 hour every 6/8 weeks for support and supervision.

Frequency and commitment details

Flexible - to be discussed. Meet with their befriendee once a week/3hours. 1 year commitment. 1 hour every 6/8 weeks for support and supervision.

Restrictions

Volunteers will require a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update for this role.
Experience required: A genuine interest in the well-being of children and families. Someone who has an understanding of perinatal mental illness, and is able to empathise with the needs of families during the perinatal period. Or someone who has an understanding of mental distress, the emotional effects of pregnancy and birth and the demands of parenthood, and who is able to empathise with the needs of families during the perinatal period.
Travel details: Locally across Falkirk - in the supported person’s home, or out in the community in places such as café’s or a library.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Expenses reimbursed.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

Last updated 5 months ago

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