Friendz Volunteer Befriender

• Down's Syndrome Scotland

• VO100944

Friendz Volunteer Want to make a difference? Do something fun and inspirational with a serious impact? Become a Friendz Volunteer! Social isolation and loneliness have a major impact on the health, well-being and life expectancy of adults with Down’s Syndrome. Down’s Syndrome Scotland’s exciting new Friendz Meetups programme aims to tackle the loneliness and social isolation experienced by adults with Down’s syndrome in Scotland. By becoming a Friendz volunteer you can help young people and adults with Down’s syndrome get out and about more, meet up with each other and grow their friendships as well as their confidence, self-esteem and independence skills. On top of that, it's also fun, rewarding and will make a serious impact on the people experiencing social isolation in Scotland!! Friendz volunteers will form part of a team of trained, skilled, volunteers who will support small groups

of adults with Down’s syndrome to come together for monthly social, community Meetups designed to promote the development of friendships, social skills, community confidence and independent decision making. Volunteers will also support the group members in identifying activities, groups and places of interest in their local community that they can access independently. The Role: To support young people and adults with Down’s syndrome to participate in social activities in small groups within their local areas to develop and sustain friendships with their peers through engaging in fun group activities together and gain community confidence. What the role involves: - Person centred support to young people and adults with Down’s syndrome in a social group situation. - Enable adults with Down’s syndrome to develop their friendships with each other by helping to make meeting arrangements, supporting independent travel and planning the social activities they choose to do. - To provide discrete individual/group support and promote a positive group dynamic, encouraging participation, responsibility taking and positively acknowledging skills and qualities of group members. - To ensure group safety and wellbeing through dynamic risk assessment and adaptive decision making. - Communicate positively with participants, parents and carers. - To establish and maintain appropriate boundaries within the volunteering relationship. - To support members to think about what’s on in their local areas and encourage positive lifestyle choices. - To participate in support, individual and peer supervision meetings and training events.

Experience required

To be open minded, accepting and non-judgemental – to see the world in a different way. To be reliable, consistent and work on your own initiative. Good organisation, listening and communication skills. Confident, kind, friendly, outgoing, with a great sense of humour. A willingness to learn, take the lead and also be guided by the group.

Travel details

Activities will take place monthly in the Perth City and surrounding area during weekdays evenings and during the day at weekends. The program will offer a range of social activities lasting 1-5 hours (3 hours on average). Travel expenses are available.

Travel expenses

Travel and expenses are covered.

• About
• Notes

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Volunteers (aged 12-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
Find out more

This volunteering opportunity is also advertised across Perth & Kinross.

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