Volunteer Befriender

Ongoing opportunity

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What is the role?

Who are they?

What can I gain?

Where?

When can I volunteer?

Any requirements?

Role Description

Befriending tasks:

• Be matched on a 1:1 basis with a young person
• Go on regular outings and activities with the young person
• Have the opportunity to participate in group outings/activities and also volunteer support sessions
• Maintain regular and effective communication with the project with regards to the young person’s achievements / growth and activities, and to receive ongoing support from the Project
• Help develop and encourage a positive relationship with a matched young person
• Have an awareness of and be able to adhere to the Project’s policies and procedures including administration
• Undertake refresher training as and when required
• To ideally give 3 months’ notice, should you wish to bring your involvement with the project to an end

The Project are working within Government and Youth Scotland Covid-19 guidelines. The majority of outings are taking place outdoors, with indoor outings limited to those that have been risk assessed. Volunteers are supplied with face mask and hand sanitizer by the Project.

About this organisation

South Ayrshire Befriending Project (SABP) is a small locally run charity based in Ayr, which was established in 1996 and supports vulnerable young people across South Ayrshire (aged 8 – 18), providing them with 1:1 befriending relationships, helping to build confidence and self-esteem and access activities in the community or develop a particular interest.

All of the young people referred to SABP have limited opportunities and face extreme difficulties in their lives. For the majority this will result in low confidence and self-esteem which will prevent them from reaching their full potential and contributing positively within their own homes, school or local communities.

SABP’s main outcome is to reduce this social isolation and increase the young people’s self- esteem and confidence, enabling them to make positive choices and participate successfully in their social and educational communities.

What could you gain?

Training and support:

• New volunteers are provided with 12 hours of initial training. Thereafter ongoing sessions are offered through the year and include information sessions and social events
• Befrienders may also, if they wish, complete the Befriending Network’s Core Skills for Volunteers online course
• Befrienders receive regular support, contact and guidance throughout the match, and for as long as they remain with the Project
• References can be provided following a successful 6-month commitment and fulfilment of the role

Where?

South Ayrshire

When can I volunteer?

Ongoing

Skills/Experience Required

What we look for in a Befriender:

• Ability to communicate well with others
• Able to complete volunteer training held over 4 sessions at mutually agreeable times
• Able to enrol as a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme
• Able to make a minimum commitment of six months to the young person they are befriending
• Able to travel locally either by walking, public transport or car in order to participate in outings with the young person
• Happy to seek advice and guidance and receive support from their Project Coordinator whenever needed
• Open minded as the Project works with young people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Following training, to be able to have empathy and understanding of some of the issues encountered by young people referred to the Project
• Continuous focus on the needs of the young person who you are matched with
• Willing to participate in a broad range of activities mutually agreed with the young person
• To be a positive adult role model for the young person and, very importantly, to have FUN!

Requirements for starting the role

Initial informal chat – application form – informal interview – 12hr volunteer training – PVG

Click Here to Volunteer!