Responsible to: Volunteer & Befriending Lead

Expected hours: Usually at least one hour per week for home visiting, or around 30 minutes per week for telephone befriending, plus occasional meetings and training. Arrangements are flexible and agreed with the Volunteer & Befriending Lead.

Expenses: Agreed out-of-pocket travel expenses may be claimed in line with Gosport Community Support procedures. (Claiming expenses is entirely optional.)

Main Purpose

To provide regular, friendly and reliable contact to an older or vulnerable person who may be lonely or socially isolated. Befriending is about building a supportive relationship, offering companionship and helping the person feel more connected, valued and confident.

Volunteers may provide home-visiting befriending, telephone befriending, or a combination where this has been agreed with the Volunteer & Befriending Lead and is appropriate for the individual match.

Main responsibilities

• Maintain regular contact with the service user at the frequency agreed with the Volunteer & Befriending Lead, normally weekly.
• Build a friendly, respectful and supportive relationship through conversation, listening and shared interests.
• Treat each service user as an individual and respect their views, lifestyle, choices, beliefs and background without judgement.
• Complete a brief visit or call log as required by Gosport Community Support.
• Let the Volunteer & Befriending Lead know if you are unable to make an arranged visit or call, particularly where this may affect the service user.
• Report promptly any concerns about a service user's wellbeing, safety or circumstances to the Volunteer & Befriending Lead.
• For home visits, report any health and safety concerns in the service user's home that could pose a risk to you or the service user.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle personal information in accordance with Gosport Community Support policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid taking on responsibilities outside the befriending role.
• Work in accordance with Gosport Community Support's safeguarding procedures, policies, values and ways of working.
• Attend induction and any essential training, supervision or volunteer meetings relevant to the role.

Going out with a service user

Some befriending matches may develop to include an occasional coffee, walk or short local outing. This must be discussed with the Volunteer & Befriending Lead first so that any relevant safety, transport, insurance or support considerations can be agreed.

What befriending is not

• A care, personal care or domestic support service.
• Professional counselling, therapy or medical support.
• Giving financial, legal, benefits or other specialist advice.
• Managing a service user's money, bank account, medication or personal affairs.
• Taking responsibility for decisions on behalf of the service user.
• Providing transport unless this has been specifically agreed in advance.
• Keeping safeguarding or wellbeing concerns secret.

What we are looking for

• Friendly, patient and a good listener.
• Reliable and able to make a regular commitment.
• Respectful, non-judgemental and comfortable spending time with older and vulnerable people.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
• Able to recognise when something needs to be reported rather than dealt with alone.
• Willing to ask for support when unsure or concerned.
• Committed to treating people with dignity, kindness and respect.

Checks, training and support

Volunteers will receive an induction and ongoing support from Gosport Community Support. Relevant checks, including references and a DBS check where required for the role, will be completed before volunteering begins. Further training and volunteer support opportunities may be offered throughout the year.

If a volunteer or service user feels that a match is not working, they should speak to the Volunteer & Befriending Lead. We recognise that not every match will be the right fit, and volunteers will be supported to raise this openly.