Volunteer

Description

What is Visitation Support and Befriending?

Visitation Support and Befriending is a supported one-to-one relationship between a volunteer and an older person who has been linked in with ALONE. The ALONE Support and Befriending service provides companionship and practical support to older people who would like extra social contact through a weekly volunteer visit. The Support and Befriending service is designed to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, provide assistance to solve everyday problems and enable older people to feel secure at home. 

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

Please Note: This is not a supported volunteer role, you will be attending visits alone.

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:

What will you be doing?

• Providing one to one companionship to an older person by visiting them at least once a week
• Providing basic practical support for the older person where necessary *, such as helping with assessing information, making a phone call, noting appointments, etc.
• Supporting the older person, you are visiting to attend local activities and integrate with their community by encouraging them to join local groups and initiatives for older people
• Login your visits & support requests on the BFriend App
• Contacting ALONE if there are concerns for the older person’s health, safety, or welfare
• Advocating for the older person where necessary. This might mean making a phone call on their behalf or helping them fill in a form
• Attending training and following the ALONE guidelines throughout your time with ALONE
• Participating in ALONE volunteer surveys and potentially assisting ALONE with delivery/completion of surveys to Older People
• Participating in check-in calls with Volunteer Support Officers to discuss any issues or address any challenges you may be facing in your role
  
  (Volunteers are not substitutes for home-help or care assistants and should not take on these roles)

Benefits of Volunteering:

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)

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Min Hours: Flexible

Minimum time commitment per week:
Flexible/Varies

Additional screening required for this role::
• Garda Vetting • Informal Interviews • References • Application Form • Identification Check (photo ID etc…) • Over 18 years of age • Intermediate English

Sustainable Development Goal:

Hei:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK