Support and Befriending is a supported one-to-one relationship between a volunteer and an older person who has been linked in with ALONE.

The ALONE Support and Befriending service provides companionship and practical support to older people who would like extra social contact through a weekly volunteer visit.

The Support and Befriending service is designed to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, provide assistance to solve everyday problems and enable older people to feel secure at home.

The role of the Visitation Support and Befriending Volunteer

• To provide companionship to an older person by visiting them at least once a week.
• To provide basic practical support for the older person where necessary. (Volunteers are not substitutes for home-help or care assistants and should not take on these roles)
• To encourage and support the older person you visit to attend local activities and relevant initiatives.
• To be flexible around travelling to and from visits.
• To attend training and follow the ALONE guidelines throughout your time with ALONE.
• To attend additional training workshops and volunteer meetings.
• To be an advocate for the older person where necessary. This might mean making a phone call on their behalf or helping them fill in a form.
• To contact ALONE if there are concerns for the older person’s health, safety or welfare.
• To participate in ALONE volunteer surveys and assist older people in ALONE service surveys.

What’s required for this position

• A genuine interest in the welfare of Older People
• The ability to follow training and handbook guidelines
• Good spoken English
• To be respectful and committed to the values and aims of ALONE
• A caring, understanding and friendly attitude
• To be patient, reliable and have good listening and communication skills
• To be non-judgemental and respect the confidentiality of the older person and of all records that you come into contact with
• The ability to prioritise your own wellbeing and self-care