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Telephone Befriender

A Listening Ear
VO100549

A Listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated and vulnerable, offering friendship, signposting, information, and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway.

Description of the role: Befriending is delivered by volunteers primarily over the phone. Virtual befriending via Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp is planned in the near future as is providing face-to-face support in 2023. Volunteers will call people in their own homes at a time that is mutually agreed between you and your phone friend. (A handset is provided).
Boundaries must be maintained at all times by volunteers, i.e., confidentiality and GDPR training will be provided.
Volunteers will be required to listen, chat and, if required, identify any appropriate support the person would benefit from, signposting as necessary. Volunteers must inform the Volunteer Coordinator of any concerns in relation to their phone friends in the first instance or request information on appropriate signposting services. Volunteers are required to take part in induction and ongoing training and identify personal development and learning opportunities. Volunteers should be available for agreed support and supervision sessions with the Volunteer Coordinator which may take place in person, over Zoom or over the phone at a mutually agreed time and frequency of no less than every 8 weeks.

Personal Qualities:
• A good knowledge of your local community, organisations operating within it and community spaces.
• Non-judgemental. • Respectful and caring nature. • A good listener. • Reliable. • Good communication skills. • Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Make and stick to the agreed time commitment.

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