What will you be doing?
- Befriending someone from a different age group (18-25 or over 55) to help beat isolation and loneliness.
- Telephoning or meeting in person with your carefully matched befriender weekly for between 1-2 hours per week
- Listening to and engage with your befriendee, help to really make a difference to their lives.
- Sign posting service users to other services within The Oasis Partnership or within the community when necessary.
We are looking for someone with:
Someone confident communicating or somebody willing to practice and hone communication skills. The ability to set and maintain clear boundaries while talking and listening to service users, other volunteers and support staff. We take a person centered, non-judgmental approach when working with service users, staff and volunteers, so we expect our volunteers to adopt the same approach. You can undertake activities with your befriender
We are currently running a unique Lottery Funded project Friends2Gether. Our aim is to bring together people over 55 with younger persons aged 18-25. These two age groups were found to be at high risk of isolation after the COVID Pandemic.
You will be carefully matched based on your common interests and personalities. Meeting once a week for two hours at one of our sites or in a public place.
Support and supervision will be provided by our dedicated project Manager Molly and our Volunteer Manager April. We are always happy to provide references for our Volunteers and where possible advise on future career paths. We pay local travel expenses (rail, bus or milage car/bike) more information available during application.
Time scale of the role:
This is an ongoing opportunity and participation in this project if for 6 months.
What this role will offer you:
This role offers volunteers the opportunity to gain experience working with people in recovery, at risk of isolation/loneliness and other vulnerable adults in the community. We will provide training in safeguarding, boundaries, health and safety and anything you need to confidently fulfill your volunteering role. Support and supervision will be provided by our dedicated volunteer manager and supervising staff members. We are always happy to provide references for our volunteers and, where possible, advise on future career paths. We pay local travel expenses (rail, bus or mileage for cars, motorbikes and bicycles) more information is available during application.
Further information:
Chesham at a time that suits you and your befriendee.
Please contact the Volunteer Manager for further information or help with your application at oasisvolunteers@oasispartnership.org