Home Visiting Befriending Volunteer
Hosted by: Sight Support Derbyshire
Opportunity Description: Our Home Visiting Befriending Scheme was set up to help alleviate some of the isolation that may be caused by visual impairment, for example in a situation where someone has very little contact with friends and family.
A Befriender helps in many different ways such as visiting and having a cup of tea & a chat, agreed shopping or outings together, or more practical help with reading mail or the newspaper. Many of our volunteers and service users build up a very good, long term, trusting relationship.
What you will do: Provide a befriending relationship to visually impaired people. Support our service users with tasks such as reading, guided walking, shopping together, and general socialising especially to those who are isolated and have no company or support.
Times Expected: To be discussed between you and your befriending match to see what suits you both in regards to the specific times and days, we would require some consistency to ensure regular contact.
Skills you will need to have: Good clear communication skills.
Be able to complete a monthly report on the progress of the visit. The use of a car would be advantageous although not essential.
Training and Support: We will give you visual impairment training and role specific training of the tasks involved. A member of staff will give you support throughout your training and will contact you on a regular basis to see how things are going.
Expenses: We will reimburse your out of pocket expenses in line with our expenses policy.
Before you start: You will need to provide us with the names of two people who can provide a character reference for you. There will also be a DBS check for this role, which would require you to provide the relevant ID.
Our Chesterfield Office is located at: 1B St Margaret’s Drive, Chesterfield S40 4SY
Our opening times are from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday.
Contact: If you would like to discuss this volunteer opportunity then please contact us on enquiries@sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk or ring 01332292262.
This is an excellent opportunity to help enhance the quality of life for visually impaired people throughout Derbyshire.
A Befriender helps in many different ways such as visiting and having a cup of tea & a chat, agreed shopping or outings together, or more practical help with reading mail or the newspaper. Many of our volunteers and service users build up a very good, long term, trusting relationship.
What you will do: Provide a befriending relationship to visually impaired people. Support our service users with tasks such as reading, guided walking, shopping together, and general socialising especially to those who are isolated and have no company or support.
Times Expected: To be discussed between you and your befriending match to see what suits you both in regards to the specific times and days, we would require some consistency to ensure regular contact.
Skills you will need to have: Good clear communication skills.
Be able to complete a monthly report on the progress of the visit. The use of a car would be advantageous although not essential.
Training and Support: We will give you visual impairment training and role specific training of the tasks involved. A member of staff will give you support throughout your training and will contact you on a regular basis to see how things are going.
Expenses: We will reimburse your out of pocket expenses in line with our expenses policy.
Before you start: You will need to provide us with the names of two people who can provide a character reference for you. There will also be a DBS check for this role, which would require you to provide the relevant ID.
Our Chesterfield Office is located at: 1B St Margaret’s Drive, Chesterfield S40 4SY
Our opening times are from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday.
Contact: If you would like to discuss this volunteer opportunity then please contact us on enquiries@sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk or ring 01332292262.
This is an excellent opportunity to help enhance the quality of life for visually impaired people throughout Derbyshire.
Type of Activity: Befriending & Buddying
Areas of Interest: Disability, Elderly
Skills: Practical, Interpersonal
Who we are looking for: An empathic and caring individual with good clear communication skills.
Be able to complete a monthly report on the progress of the visit. The use of a car would be advantageous although not essential.
Be able to complete a monthly report on the progress of the visit. The use of a car would be advantageous although not essential.
Requirements: Will require a Criminal Record Check (DBS)
Suitable for: People with Visual Impairment, Indoors, Long Term Commitment, Outdoor, People Seeking Work, Older People
Practical considerations: We will provide training, support and expenses will be paid in line with our expenses policy.
Recruitment method: Application Form, Informal Discussion, Interviews, Police Checks, References
Expenses details: Paid expenses for travel/parking etc
Any Age/Gender restrictions: 18+
Support for volunteers with additional needs: Yes
Induction Arrangments: Induction from Befriending coordinator
Insurance Cover: Yes
Support Available: We provide on going support through your befriending journey
Training: We provide in house Sight support Derbyshire training, to provide further information on how we help people as a charity, the different visual impairments and their effects and how to effectively sight guide someone.