Volunteer

Description

Telephone Support & Befriending Volunteer

At a glance

Min Hours: 1 hour weekly min

Tasks:

What is Telephone Support and Befriending?

ALONE’s Telephone Support and Befriending is a free friendly, support and information telephone service for older people. It provides personal daily or weekly contact to ensure that recipients are safe and well in their home.

Volunteers provide companionship and support such as appointment reminders, and information on local activities and relevant initiatives. All volunteers are trained and receive support from ALONE staff. Where additional needs arise that require a more hands on approach, a request for support can be made to ALONE’s support coordination services. The service operates Monday – Friday and the calls are made at a pre-arranged time.

Volunteering with an Older Person might present challenges at times, ALONE staff will always be there to support you in dealing with difficult situations.

What will you be doing?

• Providing support and information to the older person where necessary
• Being mindful of the general wellbeing of the older people and provide a positive experience during the call
• Supporting the older person to integrate in their community – such as encouraging them to join local groups and initiatives for older people
• Reporting to ALONE if there are concerns for the older person’s health, safety, or welfare.
• Working as a member of a team with staff and other volunteers and participate effectively in team meetings when required and respond to the communication from Telephone Support Coordinators
• Attending training and following the ALONE guidelines throughout your time with ALONE
• Participating in check-in calls with ALONE staff in order to discuss any issues or address any challenges you may be facing in your role
• Participating in ALONE volunteer surveys and potentially assisting with ALONE with delivery/completion of surveys to Older People

Categories: From Home

About Us

ALONE is a national organisation that supports and empowers older people to age happily and securely at home. We support individuals and their families, work with other organisations, and campaign nationwide to improve the lives of older people. We work with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, homeless, living in poverty, or are experiencing other difficulties. We support them through these challenges to help them find long term solutions.

Activity

Befriending/Mentoring

Where

Volunteering from Home

What's Required

What do you need for this role?

• A genuine interest in the welfare of older people
• The ability to use phone apps
• Good level of spoken and written English
• The ability to follow directions and agreed guidelines/protocols and work as part of a team.
• A caring, understanding, and friendly attitude
• To be patient, reliable and have good listening and communication skills
• To be non-judgemental and respect the confidentiality of the older person and of all records that you come into contact with
• It is essential that the volunteer has a mobile phone with a plan which allows free calls and access to a space where calls can be made in a confidential and private manner.

What is involved?

It is essential that Telephone Support & Befriending volunteers commit to a minimum of one 1-hour (min)shift per week (Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm) for a minimum of 6 months.
 

Level of English Required

Intermediate English

Age Restrictions

Over 18

Time and Commitment Required for this Role

Minimum time commitment: 6 months
Hours required: 1 hour min weekly

Screening Details for this Role

• Garda Vetting
• Informal Interviews
• References
• Application Form
• Identification Check (photo ID etc…)

Volunteers will be Provided with the Following Supports

• Support/ advice/ recognition
• Initial induction and training
• Insurance cover
• Ongoing training opportunities

Benefits You Will Receive as a Volunteer

• The opportunity to make a real impact to the lives of older people.
• Initial and ongoing training
• Insights and understanding about social inclusion issues.
• Opportunity to progress into other roles in ALONE
• Opportunity to develop your leadership skills.
• A chance to be part of the ALONE volunteer community.
• Certificate of volunteering (minimum 3 months of volunteering required for the certificate to be issued)

Is training provided?:Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position which will be processed with you after you apply.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

• Providing support and information to the older person where necessary
• Being mindful of the general wellbeing of the older people and provide a positive experience during the call
• Supporting the older person to integrate in their community – such as encouraging them to join local groups and initiatives for older people
• Reporting to ALONE if there are concerns for the older person’s health, safety, or welfare.
• Working as a member of a team with staff and other volunteers and participate effectively in team meetings when required and respond to the communication from Telephone Support Coordinators
• Attending training and following the ALONE guidelines throughout your time with ALONE
• Participating in check-in calls with ALONE staff in order to discuss any issues or address any challenges you may be facing in your role
• Participating in ALONE volunteer surveys and potentially assisting with ALONE with delivery/completion of surveys to Older People

Benefits of Volunteering:

• The opportunity to make a real impact to the lives of older people.
• Initial and ongoing training
• Insights and understanding about social inclusion issues.
• Opportunity to progress into other roles in ALONE
• Opportunity to develop your leadership skills.
• A chance to be part of the ALONE volunteer community.
• Certificate of volunteering (minimum 3 months of volunteering required for the certificate to be issued)

Details of time commitment needed for role:
It is essential that Telephone Support & Befriending volunteers commit to a minimum of one 1-hour (min)shift per week (Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm) for a minimum of 6 months.

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role::
• Garda Vetting • Informal Interviews • References • Application Form • Identification Check (photo ID etc…)

Sustainable Development Goal:

Hei:
ATU - DONEGAL, ATU - GALWAY, ATU - MAYO, ATU - SLIGO, ATU - ST ANGELA'S, DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY, TU DUBLIN, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK