Befriender (SH)

Let me ask you two questions: Do you have an hour free each week? Do you enjoy the company of mature people?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, why not join our team of volunteer Telephone Befrienders!

Surrey Heath Age Concern is an independent, not for profit charity operating in the borough of Surrey Heath. Our mission is to replace loneliness and isolation with happiness and laughter, for every vulnerable older person in the borough of Surrey Heath. We are looking for committed people who would be willing to give up a little of their free time each week to phone an older person who is experiencing isolation and loneliness within our borough, to visit them in their own home or to go out on short outings. 

What skills do I need?

The role of a Befriender is to provide a listening ear and a bit of company to someone who may not have many friends or family living close by. You might sit and chat, read or enjoy other past times with the Befriendee. Volunteers must live locally.

This would be a great way for you to volunteer if you are a friendly, talkative person who is a good listener and is comfortable with older people.

Many of our volunteers provide regular weekly hour visits however you can arrange the visits to suit both your needs and that of the person you visit.

Key Skills Required - Awareness of and empathy with issues facing older people - Be respectful of the Befriendee’s individuality, be accepting, understanding and non-judgemental - Good communication skills are essential as is the ability to listen effectively - Ability to operate unsupervised, using own initiative if required, yet have an awareness of the limits of one’s own knowledge - Ability to maintain confidentiality is essential.