Volunteer Role: Activity Befriender

Key Information

Description

Purpose of the Role:

As an Activity Befriender, you will plan and lead an hour long weekly activity session for people we support at a service in Hackney. By providing an activity, you play an invaluable role in providing the people we support with an opportunity to socialise with people outside of the service and access the community.

 

Responsibilities:

• Co-research and co-plan activities with and for the people we support.
• Deliver and model activities and/or socialising in the service.
• Providing companionship and friendship.
• Meeting with your befriending match for a period of time and regularity based on mutual agreement.

• Providing information and assistance to your match to enable them to make choices about the development of their social network and participation in their local community.
• Helping your match rediscover social skill and confidence by building up and maintaining a healthy befriending relationship.
• Participating in activities such as going for a walk or/and share activities of common interest – anything which makes life more enjoyable.
• Collect people we support from the service and walk back to the service, if attending a local community activity.

 

Skills, Attitudes and Experience

• You are friendly and have strong interpersonal skills
• You are passionate about making a difference in the lives of older people, people with learning disabilities, and/or people with autism spectrum disorder
• You are patient, empathetic, and open-minded
• You are organised and can work independently
• You take initiative and manage your workload
• You are reliable and punctual
• You are a strong communicator

Benefits

• Meet different kinds of people and make new friends
• Receive support from the Volunteer Team and an assigned supervisor
• Become part of a community of staff and volunteers who are passionate about making a difference
• Receive references for future opportunities
• Receive reimbursement for reasonable out of pocket expenses
• Meet new people
• Be invited to volunteer events
• Additional training to help you grow in your role
• Covered by Outward’s insurance policy

Location

• Hackney, N1

 

Time Commitment

• We are flexible and strive to accommodate your availability whenever possible.

Required Training

Before commencing your role, you will be required to complete the following training:

• Volunteer Training Session (approximately 2 hours)
• Online CareSkills Training:
• Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Safeguarding of Adults, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism
• Service Induction

Application Process

• Apply online by clicking HERE. Please note your relevant experience with links to any reels or previous projects.
• You may be asked to attend an informal group or individual interview and info session.
• If you are selected for a volunteer role, you will be required to undergo a DBS check, provide two references (either character or professional), submit a photograph for your volunteer ID, complete a health questionnaire to inform your individual volunteer risk assessment, and complete the mandatory training mentioned above before starting your role.

 

If there is any way that we can make the application process or the volunteer role more accessible for you, please do not hesitate to let us know. We will be happy to make any accommodations we can for you.