Befriender

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Age UK Portsmouth Befriending Service. Age UK Portsmouth is a successful and independent charity that has been caring for vulnerable and isolated older people in Portsmouth and the local area for over 80 years.

The befriending service has been set up to help lonely and isolated people within the Portsmouth and surrounding area.

To tackle the problem of loneliness among older people, Age UK Portsmouth has developed its befriending service. The service works by assigning each older person a face to face befriender or telephone befriender, who provides friendly conversation and companionship on a regular basis over a long period of time.

Purpose of the Service

This vital service provides a link to the outside world and often acts as a gateway for other services and valuable support. We carefully match our older people with their volunteer based on shared interests, likes, dislikes and beliefs.

We regularly check to see how your friendship is progressing.

Loneliness is a massive issue for people in later life in the UK. Half of all people aged 75 and over live alone. The relationship is structured so that each volunteer befriender makes the call at a regular pre-agreed time as to avoid any confusion for the older person.

All befrienders are volunteers, who freely give up their time to help lonely older people.

Process:

You will need an account to register your interest for this role. Once you have registered your interest you will receive an automatic email with next steps. If you have not received this in a couple of hours, please do get in touch as it may not have registered (volunteering@hiveportsmouth.org.uk). 

You will need to respond to the "Criteria Check" email to progress with this role. 

Please check your junk email folder in case any emails end up there.  Friendly reminder that the charities/organisations emails may end up here too. 

 Don't forget you can add up any volunteering hours as part of Team 100 Opportunity - Hive Portsmouth or part of the Donate 100 things challenge Opportunity - Hive Portsmouth.

Skills

Personal Qualities Most Suited to Role:

- The ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people at all levels

- The ability to be patient and have understanding in difficult circumstances

- An understanding and empathy towards the needs of older people

- Good interpersonal and listening skills Details Minimum time commitment

- Not suitable for under 18's

- Will require a criminal record check (DBS)