Volunteer Befriender

Cumbernauld Area

The Kilsyth Project supports adults & Children with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Difficulties.  A volunteer is required to visit a lady for an hour or two (anything up to 7 days per week), whenever the volunteer is available.  The lady supported by the project would like a volunteer befriender to pop in to visit her, have a cup of tea, and enjoy a chat.  The aim is to encourage the lady supported by the service to get out of bed and benefit from the interaction.

We hope a volunteer befriender will offer stimulation in relation to conversation and discourage isolation.  The person we support is an adult who has a dual diagnosis of learning disability and mental health.  However her mental health is the prominent disability.  Some experience in mental health work would be desirable.  The volunteer should be someone who can offer positive reinforcement through verbal communication and have a patient and understanding nature.

This oportunity would take place in Westfield, Cumbernauld – anytime between the hours of 1pm and 5pm.  Commitment sought would be of any time agreed with manager, service user and volunteer for a six month period, which may be extended if everyone is happy.

Support will be provided through induction, ongoing supervision and some shadow shifts.  Relevant Quarriers training will be offered.  The volunteer would ideally be aged between 30-50 as the person prefers this age group.

Selection procedure would include:

Application form, references, PVG disclosure. The volunteer can meet for a chat which will  include the Project Manager, Team Leader, and the person we support.

Please note: The person we support smokes, however a risk assessment has been completed and the service user has agreed to only smoke in the kitchen when staff are in the house.