Volunteering Opportunity: VO70344

• Volunteer Befriender
  with Castle Befriending Scheme.

  Created/last updated: 04/08/2020

  
  

  About this opportunity:	Many of the people the organisation befriends have no one to speak to other than a carer who visits for 15 minutes a day  •  Loneliness is hugely detrimental to an individual's mental and physical health  •  a lonely person is twice as likely to develop dementia over the next 15 years and 3 times as likely to develop depression  •  The physical effects are the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day! All this can be prevented or turned round by just having someone to have a good chat with  •  This could be you!
  Takes place:	mornings afternoons evenings Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
  Minimum age:	18
  Maximum age:	no upper age limit has been specified
  Training provided:	In-house induction training given - total 3 hours which can be split over 3 sessions if necessary. Ongoing support from coordinator via 1-1 meetings, telephone and email.
  Out of pocket expenses paid?	Yes - Mileage paid at 40p per mile or public transport cost paid if on an outing - but not for getting to a client.
  Experience required:	Friendly, open, non-judgemental disposition and enjoys a chat.
  Restrictions on who can volunteer	No restrictions were specified.
  Application process:	Application Form; Induction/Training; Informal Chat; PVG membership required; References; Trial Period
  Taster available?	No, not for this opportunity.
  Travel Details	1-1 befriending takes place in the individual's home or town for coffee or at a club, etc. At the Drop-In Lounge the befriender can come along to chat to people who attend. If going on an outing with a client, petrol/travel expenses can be paid. North Ea
  Saltire Award	This opportunity is compatible with the Saltire Awards for volunteers aged 12-25.