The Royal Air Forces Association are looking to recruit befriender volunteers to to help alleviate isolation and loneliness.

A befriender volunteer carries out visits to, and keeps in touch with, members of the RAF family on behalf of the Association. The role of a befriender is varied and could involve helping out with practical tasks such as driving someone to a doctor’s appointment, or helping them with their shopping.

Befriender volunteers are required to:

Regularly meet with a beneficiary, either in their home or at a mutually agreed location.
Listen to and engage with the beneficiary, promoting positive outlooks and raised self-esteem.
Work within the remit of the Befriending Plan and promote activities to meet the identified outcomes.
Research into local community groups and activities to find relevant interests for the beneficiary.
Identify ways to connect with other beneficiaries to promote friendship groups.
Identify any additional areas of support and make referrals to the Area Welfare Officer (AWO) if required.
Keep a note of visits undertaken, with recommendations and actions. Provide this information and regular updates to the AWO.

Befriender volunteers need to be:

Caring and empathetic, with the ability to build a rapport with others and put them at ease, through a friendly and sensitive approach.
Good listeners and communicators.
Reliable and dependable.
Flexible in terms of who you will support and, occasionally, with the time you will visit them.
Able to put people who may be anxious or worried at their ease.
Aware of some local social groups the beneficiary could get involved in, or be able to research this for them.

In addition, befriender volunteers will need to be aged at least 18 or over and have:

Access to a car and be prepared to use it for RAF Association volunteer work.
Some roles in particular areas may not require this, depending on where beneficiaries are based geographically, in relation to the volunteer, or if public transport is available or the volunteer has another means of transport.
The insurance company you are with will need to be alerted to the fact your car is being used for volunteer (business) use.

This opportunity will take place across the Falkirk area.

For further information regarding this opportunity, please contact the Volunteer Team by phone: 01324 692000, or email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk