Help to combat loneliness and isolation in Neath Port Talbot.
Become a Volunteer Befriender and make your time, make the difference to others.
Why is Befriending important?
Loneliness and isolation have a huge impact on physical and mental health for many people living in Neath Port Talbot.
The Wallich supports people rough sleeping and getting people into accommodation. However, we are seeing more people needing help with other wellbeing issues in their own home.
Volunteer Befrienders offer our service users in Neath Port Talbot additional support, helping them feel more connected to their community and less isolated.
Volunteer Befrienders are there to compliment The Wallich’s support staff, not replace them, simply offering companionship.
What does a Volunteer Befriender do?
- Build people’s confidence and provide encouragement
- Spend time with someone and provide social contact
- Help develop existing skills, new skills and goals for the future
- Attend local community groups together
- Develop a trusting relationship by giving someone your time
- Support health and wellbeing
- Share basic skills – like planning, budgeting, communication and IT
- Offer warm companionship, active listening and conversation
As a Volunteer Befriender, you will:
- Attend an induction
- Commit to 1-day training
- Commit to 4 volunteer days per month
Training and support you will receive:
- DBS Certificate
- Regular support from The Wallich’s Volunteer Befriender Co-ordinator
- Professional Boundaries, Safeguarding and Personal Safety training
- An introduction into Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC)
Benefits to becoming a Volunteer Befriender
- Travel expenses repaid
- Build new connections and companionship in your community
- Share skills and learn new things
- Develop personal skills and experience for your CV
- Access to training opportunities
- Gain experience of working with people with experience of homelessness or housing related needs
- Pride and a good feeling that you’re making a difference in your community
We take the opinion of both our Volunteer Befrienders and service users seriously, so if you don’t feel the match is suitable, we can work together to ensure everyone is comfortable.
Are you interested in becoming a Befriender Volunteer?
We’d love to hear from you. To apply or to find out more information, email our Volunteer Befriender Coordinator – Debbie.Allison@thewallich.net
Funded by the Neath Port Talbot Housing Support Grant
