Farleigh Helper Telephone Befriending Volunteer

To provide telephone support as part of our ‘Farleigh Helpers’ befriending service.  The role is based from home, making calls through our secure systems to offer befriending support to our patients, families, carers and clients as well as external callers in the community.  You will be offering a listening ear to provide comfort to those in the community who may be ill, lonely, isolated, anxious or bereaved and offering signposting to both internal and external services. You can carry out this role from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you – we just ask for a minimum commitment of one morning or afternoon (approximately 4 hours) per week between the service hours of 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday - Friday.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

• Patient, reliable and understanding
• Good IT skills (calls are made and logged via a laptop)
• A good listener
• Friendly
• Keen to support others in the community
• Effective oral/written communication, interpersonal skills
• Ability to work accurately and independently
• Understanding and appropriate application of confidentiality
• Ability to deal with different people and situations sensitively and within appropriate boundaries
• Awareness of own response to death, dying and bereavement

KEY TASKS 

• Offer a listening ear and informal support conversations
• Provide basic guidance, information and signposting to the appropriate resources
• Use a database system to log and schedule weekly calls
• Liaise with volunteer team managers and provide open feedback
• Identify and report any potential safeguarding concerns
• Attend regular support sessions via Microsoft Teams and face to face where required (up to 6 x per year)
• Attend additional training sessions as and when required

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Good I.T. skills  (training will be given)
• A reliable internet connection at home
• Adhere to all hospice policies and procedures including data protection and confidentiality
• Ability to manage boundaries
• Attend and complete all training provided
• Commit to the role for a minimum of 6 months
• Attend volunteer meetings and support sessions
• Work to Farleigh Hospice values (we are caring, respectful, dedicated and innovative)

What being a Farleigh Helper can do for you 

• You’ll be able to use your kindness, skills and experience to help people in the local community who may be ill, bereaved, lonely or isolated in order to provide them with support and make a positive impact on their life
• You will be helping our clinical teams with their busy workloads by keeping in touch with our patients and families
• You’ll gain new skills and experience through specialist training
• You’ll meet other like-minded volunteers
• You’ll be part of a friendly and welcoming team and will receive support and guidance from our dedicated team at Farleigh
• You can do this all from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits

What happens now?

• Simply fill in our volunteer application form, telling us of your skills and experience and why you would like to join the Farleigh Helpers volunteer team.
• Following your interview, we will send out your reference requests and will get you started on completing a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). You will be required to verify your ID in person at our head office in North Court Road, Chelmsford in advance of commencing the role.
• After checks are complete, there will be a face-to-face induction training day in the North Court Road building
• Once your training is complete and you are happy to get started we will match you with (up to) 4 callers for regular support calls for a 6-month period

 CLICK HERE TO FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM