Volunteer Befriender

• Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association

• VO90283

Hanover is one of Scotland’s largest registered social landlords specialising in services for older people. We manage more than 5,000 properties and provide a range of other services including telecare community alarm monitoring and housing with care. We work closely with our customers to help people live independent, secure and fulfilling lives.

The Volunteer Befriender helps residents who feel isolated or unable to get out very easily on their own by giving time on a one to one basis to help a person maintain social contact, provide companionship and reduce loneliness and social isolation. Volunteer befrienders build a positive relationship with an individual and visit them on a regular basis in their own flat. This could mean spending some time with a person for an hour or two every week/fortnight, we also encourage getting out and about for a coffee or short walk. Generally, befrienders are there to chat and get to know someone, have fun. Support the person to continue with existing interests, whilst encouraging them to embark on new activities.

Volunteer duties:

 Organising visits / trips out on a regular basis.
 Support residents with their interests
 Encourage residents to embark on new activities
 Be a friend and have fun

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do

We know that volunteering has many benefits for individuals who volunteer, the organisations to which they contribute and society as a whole. Loneliness has a profound impact on quality of life with serious implications for physical and mental health. We believe that every older person should have opportunities to make and maintain friends and connections so they can keep healthy and well balanced and enjoy life as much as possible – we believe that no-one should have no-one. Hanover (Scotland) wishes to assist our residents tackle social isolation as we believe that good physical and mental health, quality of life and the ability to live independently are closely linked.

The many positives outcomes of volunteering mean that volunteering truly is social inclusion in action.
Volunteers will:

• Gain confidence: Volunteering can help you gain confidence by giving you the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement.


• Make a difference: Volunteering can have a real and valuable effect on people, communities and society in general.


• Meet people: Volunteering can help you meet different kinds of people and make new friends.


• Be part of a community: Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.


• Have fun: Most volunteers have a great time, regardless of why they do it.

Experience required

No qualifications are necessary. We are looking for volunteers who are interested in working with older people, have good communication and listening skills, are reliable and willing to work as part of a team.

Travel expenses

We will pay for any bus fares to our development on receipt of a ticket.

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