Volunteer Telephone Befrienders

• Real Life Options (Scottish Borders)

• VO85068

Real Life Options is a charity which has services located all throughout the UK in various locations. We offer services such as Day Centres, Outreach and supported living to support people within our care to live their lives as full as possible.
Loneliness at this time is heightened and the current social distancing measures are particularly difficult for some people. This role is for someone who loves a good chat but is also good listener. You will spend 30 minutes once or twice a week chatting to someone who would benefit from a telephone friend. Your calls can make a massive difference to a person’s happiness and wellbeing. During these difficult and unsettling times, more than ever the people we support would benefit from any time and commitment from yourselves.

The best gift you can give someone is your time.

Main tasks
Will include; chatting and befriending people, and provide regular, friendly and person-centred conversations with the people we support. You will be matched with people based on their interests and preferences. Your involvement will support people within our services to feel less isolated and will focus on each individual’s strengths, helping them to remain connected, feel valued and more confident.

Required skills, qualities and experience.
Be able to make time, once or twice a week, to contact your new ‘phone friend’, up to a period of three months. Good listener and empathetic ,Honest and reliable ,Friendly and calm Enjoy phone calls and be confident speaking to new people. Can maintain confidentiality. You'll need to let your service manager know if there are any concerns or if the person you are calling needs support.

Where and when will volunteering take place
This can be done from home and the times and days the volunteer would like to offer are completely flexible.

Commitment required
For continuity and routine we look for at least 2 hours per week for the benefit of the service user and the volunteer to build and maintain relationships.

Travel expenses

All agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed which includes travel, phone call expenses etc.

• About
• Location
• Notes

Support

Training details

We will provide classroom training and online training free of cost. Training will include including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, Equality & Diversity, Fire Safety, GDPR (Confidentiality), Infection Control,First Aid and Moving & Handling.

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