Befriending Volunteer
OFFERED BY:
Refugee RootsLocation(s): Aspley, Basford, Berridge, Bestwood, Bilborough, Bulwell, Bulwell Forest, Castle, Clifton East, Clifton West, Dales, Hyson Green and Arboretum, Leen Valley, Lenton and Wollaton East, Mapperley, Meadows, Radford, Sherwood, St Ann's, Wollaton West
Address where volunteering takes place: How many places are on offer?
Purpose of Role:
Help to empower refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into their communities and rebuild their lives with dignity. Befriending is 1:1 support where our volunteers work directly with a refugee or asylum seeker. The support varies to meet the needs of the individual but focuses on empowerment through language ability and well-being.
The opportunity is flexible and allows even those with irregular schedules to volunteer.
The opportunity is flexible and allows even those with irregular schedules to volunteer.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
Volunteers will be matched with a refugee or asylum seeker. We match based on compatibility, not a first-come, first-serve system. This reflects our focus on quality matches over quantity of matches. Volunteers and participants will be heavily consulted throughout the matching process, and only where both choose to go ahead with a match will it proceed.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Welcoming and receiving participants.
- Planning sessions and following protocols.
- Ensuring the safety of participants.
- Communication with the Coordinator and participant.
- Telling the Coordinator when and where you will meet for each befriending session.
- Completing a log of volunteering.
COMMITMENT:
- You will need to attend an initial induction training and then a befriending specific training. Otherwise, the time commitment is very flexible and will meet your availability.
- Befriending matches last from 3-6 months as standard, but the availability of the volunteer is always taken into account, and no decisions are made arbitrarily.
- Befriending pairs typically meet once per week, for 1 hour per meeting.
- If agreed beforehand, the frequency of meetings may be less than this.
LOCATION:
The location of the befriending will vary based on the particulars of the match and the interest of the volunteer and could span anywhere from local parks and green spaces, cafes and museums to music studios and the university campuses. The only place we do not meet is in the homes of the volunteer or participant.
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Befriending is one of our core services and allows us to support a variety of people. For example, we use befriending to welcome new arrivals to the city and help them to build a support network and integrate into local systems; we work with those in isolation to engage with new hobbies and interests; or to offer single parents a chance to meet and relax over a drink and chat once a week.
The volunteers also help by being an ear to the ground and an advocate for the participant they work with to make the charity aware of their support needs.
OUTCOMES:
Increased confidence.
Improved English.
Reduced isolation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Welcoming and receiving participants.
- Planning sessions and following protocols.
- Ensuring the safety of participants.
- Communication with the Coordinator and participant.
- Telling the Coordinator when and where you will meet for each befriending session.
- Completing a log of volunteering.
COMMITMENT:
- You will need to attend an initial induction training and then a befriending specific training. Otherwise, the time commitment is very flexible and will meet your availability.
- Befriending matches last from 3-6 months as standard, but the availability of the volunteer is always taken into account, and no decisions are made arbitrarily.
- Befriending pairs typically meet once per week, for 1 hour per meeting.
- If agreed beforehand, the frequency of meetings may be less than this.
LOCATION:
The location of the befriending will vary based on the particulars of the match and the interest of the volunteer and could span anywhere from local parks and green spaces, cafes and museums to music studios and the university campuses. The only place we do not meet is in the homes of the volunteer or participant.
HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Befriending is one of our core services and allows us to support a variety of people. For example, we use befriending to welcome new arrivals to the city and help them to build a support network and integrate into local systems; we work with those in isolation to engage with new hobbies and interests; or to offer single parents a chance to meet and relax over a drink and chat once a week.
The volunteers also help by being an ear to the ground and an advocate for the participant they work with to make the charity aware of their support needs.
OUTCOMES:
Increased confidence.
Improved English.
Reduced isolation.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
All our positions offer the potential for development and growth, and you will be trained and then supported throughout. However, the following skills are helpful to have from the beginning:
- Good organisation skills.
- Good communication skills (including good spoken English).
- Good record keeping.
Personal attributes
There are many valuable attributes someone can bring to befriending. However, the two core attributes are:
- Patience and;
- Empathy.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience working with Refugees and Asylum seekers
- Experience supporting people who do not have English as their first language
- Experience in a befriending role
- Good organisation skills.
- Good communication skills (including good spoken English).
- Good record keeping.
Personal attributes
There are many valuable attributes someone can bring to befriending. However, the two core attributes are:
- Patience and;
- Empathy.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience working with Refugees and Asylum seekers
- Experience supporting people who do not have English as their first language
- Experience in a befriending role
WHEN REQUIRED:
This grid shows when you can volunteer for this opportunity.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Are there age restrictions for this opportunity? Yes
Age Restrictions:
Over 18's Only
Are there gender restrictions for this opportunity? No
Gender restrictions:
Is the opportunity accessible to disabled people? No
Disability restrictions:
We try and support anyone to volunteer with us; however, we take seriously the health and safety of everyone involved with us. Therefore, the lone worker nature of befriending can pose a risk that must be assessed in advance.
Many of our other volunteer opportunities are accessible to those with disabilities, for befriending a case by case approach is taken.
Please reach out if you wish to volunteer and have a disability.
Many of our other volunteer opportunities are accessible to those with disabilities, for befriending a case by case approach is taken.
Please reach out if you wish to volunteer and have a disability.
How long before volunteer can expect a response?
2-3 working days
How long to complete training and recruitment?
Recruitment is a simple online form. Training would then take roughly 3 hours.
Volunteer Expenses offered? Yes
Induction and Training offered? Yes
Support and Supervision offered? Yes
Has a risk assessment been carried out? Yes
DBS Disclosure required? No