Role Purpose:  

To provide companionship and emotional support to community members who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation. By regularly engaging with them through visits, phone calls, or other forms of communication, volunteers will help enhance their well-being, create meaningful connections, and contribute to a sense of belonging and community for these individuals.  

Volunteers will also at times provide low level assistance to service users around issues they are experiencing e.g. reading mail, helping to arrange appointments, using IT.  

 

Role Activities:  

In your role, you will:  

• Providing companionship and low level assistance to service users  

• Provide support in the method that is best suited to the service user’s individual needs. 

• Take into consideration the services users’ needs and capabilities when arranging times and locations. 

• Provide information and assistance to service users to enable them to make fully informed choices and decisions in their lives, support participation in their local community 

• Help service users rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship 

• Provide company and friendship, assist with shopping, go for a walk, and share activities of common interest – anything which makes life more enjoyable 

• Liaise regularly with the staff at ICCM in order to update them on progress and support needed. 

• Follow the guidelines set out by the Irish Community Care Manchester Volunteer Agreement. 

• Read and adhere to relevant policies outlined in the Befriending Procedure document. 

• Be comfortable volunteering in a lone working capacity. 

 

Role Benefits:  

In your role, you will have the opportunity to:  

• Develop new interpersonal skills such as active listening and supportive behaviour. 

• Meet new people from a variety of backgrounds.  

• Get a reference detailing your achievements while in the role. 

• A DBS check. 

• Make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people. 

 

Support & Training:  

To help you in your role we will provide training & support, including:  

• Training and induction in order to ensure you are comfortable in your role. 

• Support from staff at Irish Community Care Manchester. 

• Support from fellow volunteers. 

• Out of pockets expenses and travel paid for.  

 

Eligibility:  

To be an effective Befriender, certain skills and personal qualities ensure a positive and supportive experience for the service user. Here’s what we are looking for: 

• Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and sensitivity towards the feelings and experiences of others. 

• Good Communication Skills: The ability to listen actively and engage in meaningful conversations.  

• Reliability and Commitment: Consistency is vital in building trust and providing stable support to those who may feel isolated. 

• Respect for Confidentiality: The ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.  

• Interpersonal Skills: A friendly and approachable demeanour, patience and understanding  

• Cultural Sensitivity: Awareness and respect for cultural, religious, and personal differences 

These skills will help ensure that you are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the elderly individuals you’ll be supporting. 

We welcome all applications for the role of Befriender, and actively encourage volunteers from a range of backgrounds to get in touch.

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If you would like more information about our Befriender Roles please contact volunteer@irishcommunitycare.com