Older People Volunteer Befrienders (Adur and Worthing)

Become a befriender and help us to overcome loneliness!

Just an hour of your time (face to face or over the phone) once a week or fortnight, can literally transform the life of an older person living with loneliness in your community.

“I didn’t used to care if I lived or died. Now I want to live past 100!” Charlotte aged 89.

“I feel I’m in the world again.” Muriel aged 90.

“I would rather go without food than a visit from my befriender.” Arthur aged 87.

“Who knew I could make new friends at my age! It’s changed my life for the better!” Jean aged 87.

Volunteers frequently describe their befriending experience as mutually beneficial using the words ‘enriching’ and ‘enjoyable’. So, if you would like to join a community of people who believe in the importance of human connection TTTB would love to hear from you!

Important note: If you register your interest in this role, please check your spam/junk email box in case our reply ends up there.

Skills

TTTB are looking for volunteers who have a heart for older people and want to give back to the community.

• Being able to communicate well over the phone and/or in person is essential, however we do offer basic communication and listening skills training to all of our volunteers.

• Experience of connecting with older people would be an advantage but is not essential.

Benefits

Benefits of this Opportunity:

Improve quality of life and the general well-being of an older person who feels lonely due to social isolation.

Be part of a team of likeminded volunteers who are helping to overcome loneliness across Brighton and Hove, Adur and Worthing.

Ongoing training available: in addition to induction training which includes basic information about listening, safeguarding and boundaries there are opportunities to benefit from dementia inclusive befriending workshops, dementia friends, bereavement and loss to name a few.

Invitations to contribute towards the development of the charity through a range of opportunities.

Events for volunteers including seasonal events i.e., Christmas, peer celebration events and peer support groups.

Feel a sense of reward and personal wellbeing. The organisation take pride in their be-friendships being mutually beneficial.

Practical Considerations

Role and recruitment info:

Volunteers must be able to visit or call their older person weekly or fortnightly.

A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

The organisation are only able to accept applications from volunteers living in East and West Sussex.

Volunteers must be aged 16+. Volunteers who are under 18 must agree to have an adult present when calling or visiting an older person. If visiting then the adult must register as a volunteer and complete the full application process. Alternatively under 18s can apply in pairs to be matched with the same older person and carry out their calls or visits together.

A link to TTTB's online application form will be sent to the volunteer by email. (Please be sure to check your junk/spam email folder, to ensure you don't miss any correspondence from the organisation). They are also able to send our application form out in the post upon request.

Once the application form is completed, it will be assessed against Time to Talk Befriending criteria. References will be applied for within 2 weeks. This must be someone the volunteer has known for 3+ years and who isn’t a family member.

An enhanced DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check is essential. Instructions on how to apply for this will be sent to the volunteer by email. 

Volunteers will be asked to complete an online induction and questionnaire. This will be followed by a telephone welcome interview from one of the team.

Volunteers will be matched with an older person for friendship and company based on mutual interests. The average age of members is 82 however our criteria provides support for anyone aged 65+ experiencing loneliness due to limited existing social connections.

The match is agreed between the older person and volunteer and befriending begins!

Important note: If you register your interest in this role, please check your spam/junk email box in case our reply ends up there.  

When do I need to be available?

Details	The required commitment for this role is 30 minutes to an hour each week or fortnight at a time that suits the volunteer.

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Register your Interest