Volunteer Role Description Volunteer role: Befriender Responsible to: Befriending Officers What we do: Blackfriars Settlement is a registered charity providing services to the community. We work with all people in the local community, creating opportunities for them to achieve their aspirations. We meet individual needs within our diverse programme of activities at the Settlement and outside. Purpose of role: With an ageing population, more and more older people are at risk of isolation and loneliness as partners and friends pass away, family members move away and the community around them changes at a fast pace. As a Befriender, you will become part of the solution to tackling the issues of isolation and loneliness by developing strong relationships with clients and encouraging them to engage in a variety of ways. Main activities/tasks: • Visit or call an older person once a week for around an hour • Spend time getting to know them and understand what things they may like to do at home (e.g. chess, knitting, reading) • Offer healthy and fun conversation and encourage them to talk • Give support to enable them to get out in the community and encourage participation in activities • Promote healthy living and wellbeing • Accompany them on visits out of the home e.g. going for a walk, shopping • Support them to find information • Make monthly reports on visits carried out Other information: Induction and full training will be given, alongside regular supervision • DBS and references will be required • • Volunteering days and hours to suit you and our clients • Travel expenses will be reimbursed up to £5 • You will be covered by our insurance policy What you’d gain from volunteering with us: • Acquiring new skills e.g. working with people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s • Helping to make a difference in the community and the life of an older person • Understanding the needs of older people and advocating on their behalf • Improving self confidence • Meeting new people • Helping to make a difference in the community and the life of an older person • Reporting and admin skills • Experience and understanding of the working environment of a local charity • A reference provided after 3 months active volunteering What we’re looking for: • Cheerful and outgoing personality • Reliable and committed to weekly visits/calls • Good spoken English and listening skills • Patience, understanding and empathy towards the needs of older people • Basic administrative skills to complete a monthly report • Previous experience or strong interest in supporting older people Who the role would suit: • People seeking work who are interested in the lives of older people • Students looking for experience in social care environments • Those who want more fulfilment in their work lives by supporting less able older people • Older people who still want use their time productively • Minimum age 18 years Time commitment required: • 1-2 hours per week or other hours negotiated • Generally morning or afternoon with occasional evening visits • Minimum of 6 months Location: Mainly north and mid Southwark Main points of contact: For an informal chat about the role, get in touch with Crystal and Adrian, Befriending Officers, at befriending@blackfriars-settlement.org.uk or phone 020 7928 9521 option 3. Alternatively, you can download our application form from our website. Please send your completed application form to befriending@blackfriars-settlement.org.uk
Creating New Opportunities Together Volunteer Role Description Role Description: Music Group Facilitator Employer: Responsible to: Service area: Status: Hours: Duration: Blackfriars Settlement Ad Christodoulou Mental Health and Wellbeing Volunteer Wednesday 3.30-5pm Ongoing Role summary: Blackfriars Settlement Mental Health and Wellbeing Service provide activities that are designed to address issues for people who have difficulties around their mental health and to provide a pathway to recovery. MHWBS aims are to address isolation, build confidence, provide skills and training, create opportunities for friendship and development of social skills, share experiences and strategies through peer support, learn life skills, combat stigma and support people into volunteering, work experience and employment. Members of MHWBS have identified a music workshop as beneficial to their recovery process. Instruments have been purchased and all we need now is someone who will bring that session to life. Responsibilities: You will work with a mixed ability group (there are no musicians, although two members have some knowledge of guitar chords) and others are happy to bang drums. Flexibility is essential in order to meet the expressed needs of group, but also experience of assessing skills and being able to guide the group accordingly. For instance, picking a song/methodology that involves all group members. You will be supported by Service Coordinator in planning and reflection of practice. Role Requirements: Essential: Knowledge of at least one musical instrument Warm, friendly personality and a good team player Good listening and communication skills Ability to have fun Flexible to needs of group and willingness to reflect on and develop practice Preferred: Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties What’s in it for you? You will gain experience of working in the mental health field and have the opportunity to practice and develop communication and teaching skills. Bolster knowledge and experience for a career path in mental health (past volunteers have gone on to train as adult mental health nurses). Knowledge/experience of voluntary sector work. One day basic training in mental health in variety of topics e.g. women and mental health, self-harm, introduction to mental health. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. If you would like to become part our charity dedicated to serving our local community, please contact us for an application form by emailing eva.henry@blackfriars-settlement.org.uk or calling 0207 960 4619. Alternatively you can download the application from website.
Volunteer Role Description Volunteer role: Club Volunteer Responsible to: Positive Ageing Officer What we do: Blackfriars Settlement is a registered charity providing services to the community. We work with all people in the local community, creating opportunities for them to achieve their aspirations. We meet individual needs within our diverse programme of activities at the Settlement and outside. Purpose of role: With an aging population, more and more older people are at risk of isolation and loneliness as partners and friends pass away, children and grandchildren move away and the community around them changes at a fast pace. The Positive Ageing team organise daily clubs (except Saturday) and activities for older people from the local community to help provide a solution to isolation and loneliness. We are looking for volunteers who can support us by running activities, giving us a hand behind the scenes and making members feel welcome during the sessions. Main activities/tasks: What your role involves will depend on which club you’d like to join (see our website for our activities schedule) but here are some examples: • Frank’s Club: interact with our older gentlemen and play cards/board games etc., offer a friendly face, support and encouragement to participate in activities and engage in conversation • Forget-me-not Club: supporting other volunteers by organising mind games, quizzes and welcoming members • Lunch Club: helping with food preparation, washing up and general clearing up, preparing the hall for lunch and serving food/drinks, occasional organising afternoon activities (lunch will be provided for volunteers!) • Computer Club: give one-to-one support with using computers and mobile phones • Crusoe Club: supporting our visually impaired members during the club, engaging in conversation, helping to serve refreshments and assisting with sighted guiding Other information: Induction and full training will be given, alongside regular supervision • DBS and references will be required • • Volunteering days and hours to suit you and our clients • Travel expenses will be reimbursed up to £5 • You will be covered by our insurance policy What you’d gain from volunteering with us: Improving self confidence • Helping to make a difference in the community and the life of an older person • Understanding the needs of older people and advocating on their behalf • • Meeting new people • Acquiring new skills e.g. working with people with memory issues • Helping to make a difference in the community and the life of an older person • Experience working in a kitchen environment • Experience and understanding of the working environment of a local charity • A reference provided after 3 months active volunteering What we’re looking for: • Cheerful and outgoing personality • Reliable and committed to weekly volunteering • Good spoken English and listening skills • Patience, understanding and empathy towards the needs of older people • Previous experience or strong interest in supporting older people Who the role would suit: • People seeking work who are interested in the lives of older people • Students looking for experience in social care environments • Those who want more fulfilment in their work lives by supporting less able older people • Older people who still want use their time productively Time commitment required: • A minimum of 2 hours per week or other hours negotiated • See our website for our activities schedule • Minimum of 6 months Location: Blackfriars Settlement (or occasionally other venues) Main points of contact: For an informal chat about the role, get in touch with Siggy, Positive Ageing Officer, at sieglinde.cosias@blackfriars-settlement.org.uk or phone 020 7928 9521. Please send your completed application form to Eva at eva.henry@blackfriars- settlement.org.uk.