Befriender (in person or online)

• SupportED

• VO103899

By helping people suffering from an eating disorder and their families to discuss their feelings and concerns you can help them to look towards a more positive future. If you are a caring and empathetic person who can help those we support to feel less isolated, more understood, cared for, listened to and supported, we would value your contribution to our team.

Our Befriending service is here to support individuals towards recovery through weekly contact with a trained volunteer. Befriending is for anyone affected by any eating disorder and would like support in their recovery. Our service also supports carers’, families and friends of anyone struggling with an eating disorder.

The aim of Befriending isn’t about telling a befriendee what to do – it is a way of encouraging and supporting to achieve a goal, change a behaviour, and develop or build on existing skills. This isn’t a form of clinical therapy and is not intended as a replacement for professional, clinical treatment.

Volunteers need:
To be good listeners
To be able to offer support and encouragement in a non-judgemental manner
To have a good knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health issues, particularly eating disorders. Volunteers who have previously had an eating disorder must have been fully recovered for at least two years before taking on this role
To have good timekeeping skills
To be open and honest whilst also maintaining appropriate boundaries.
To be articulate, with a good telephone manner and able to communicate in a warm and welcoming way
To be patient, allowing befriendees to take recovery at their own pace.
To be committed to attending regular training when required.

What's in it for you?
Being part of a supportive, informal and friendly group of fellow volunteers and like-minded people. Foundation and on-going training to develop your skills as a befriender and understanding of eating disorders. Regular support and supervision.

Experience required

Volunteers need:
To be good listeners
To be able to offer support and encouragement in a non-judgemental manner
To have a good knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health issues, particularly eating disorders. Volunteers who have previously had an eating disorder must have been fully recovered for at least two years before taking on this role
To have good timekeeping skills
To be open and honest whilst also maintaining appropriate boundaries.
To be articulate, with a good telephone manner and able to communicate in a warm and welcoming way
To be patient, allowing befriendees to take recovery at their own pace.
To be committed to attending regular training when required.

Travel details

Travel expenses will be paid.

Travel expenses

Volunteer expenses are paid by SupportED.

• About
• Notes

Support

Training details

Full training will be provided, alongside ongoing training and support/supervision.

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Availability

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Frequency & commitment

Befriending for 1 year minimum. Recovery from an Eating Disorder for a minimum of 2 years.

Volunteers (aged 18-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
Find out more

This is a home based, or remotely based opportunity

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