Volunteer Befriender Role Description

We require Volunteers who can spare around 2 hours per week, on a regular basis, to befriend service users in the Castle Point area and Rayleigh and Rochford District. You will be helping to provide companionship to individuals that have been identified as being lonely and/or isolated. Volunteer Befrienders will visit clients in their own homes whilst working within CAVS boundaries as discussed during training.

Volunteer Duties

• Attend initial induction and on-going training and support sessions with the option to attend social events
• Respect client’s confidentiality at all times
• Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries
• Spend time with client and engage in activities that are mutually agreed upon
• Inform the manager of any concerns about the client
• Complete a risk assessment for any activities that are undertaken
• Respect different cultural values and work in a non-discriminatory manner
• To be understanding rather than judgemental about a client’s situation and circumstances

CAVS Duties

• To provide adequate training, induction and ongoing support
• To obtain emergency contact details for volunteers
• To follow up any issues or concerns raised
• To provide expenses as necessary
• To ensure the necessary equipment is supplied for the Volunteer
• To inform the Volunteer of any planned changes
• To liaise regularly with the Volunteer
• To provide regular supervisions for volunteer
• To ensure all Volunteers undergo an enhanced DBS check

Skills required

• Have good listening skills
• Enjoy social contact
• The ability to motivate/encourage others
• A sense of humour
• Be honest and reliable
• Be patient and understanding

Volunteer Family Peer Mentor Role Description

Facing challenges is part of everyday life for most, but for some families a little extra support is needed to help them manage. We require Volunteers who can spare a few hours per week, on a regular basis, to Mentor service users in the Castle Point area. You will be helping to provide ongoing emotional and practical support to family members who may be lacking in confidence or self-esteem and may need a helping hand to face daily challenges and get back on track. Volunteer Family Peer Mentors will visit clients in their own homes whilst working within CAVS boundaries as discussed during training.

Volunteer Duties

• Respect client’s confidentiality at all times
• To be understanding and non-judgemental about a client’s situation and circumstances
• Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries
• Support the client to be more resilient, have improved self-esteem and confidence
• Support the client to develop skills and confidence to follow routes into education, employment and/or training as appropriate
• Support the client to feel more integrated within the community e.g. volunteering, widening the social support networks
• Support the client to develop parenting skills to enable more effective family communication
• Inform Line manager of any concerns about the client
• Complete a risk assessment for any activities that are undertaken
• Respect different cultural values and work in a non-discriminatory manner

CAVS Duties

• To provide adequate training, induction and ongoing support
• To follow up any issues or concerns raised
• To reimburse expenses as necessary
• To ensure the necessary equipment is supplied for the Volunteer
• To inform the Volunteer of any planned changes
• To liaise regularly with the Volunteer
• To provide regular supervisions for Volunteer
• To ensure all Volunteers undergo an enhanced DBS check

Skills required

• Parenting skills or general life experience that could help a family going through hard times
• Great listening skills
• Enjoy social contact
• The ability to motivate/encourage others
• A sense of humour
• Be honest and reliable
• Be patient and understanding