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. 
 

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) 

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 do you need for this role? 

• A genuine interest in the welfare of Older People 

• To be patient, reliable and have good listening and communication skills 

• To have a caring, understanding and friendly attitude 

• To be flexible around visiting times or locations of visits 

• To be non-judgemental and respect the confidentiality of the older person and of all records that you come into contact with 

• To be able to follow directions and agreed guidelines/protocols and work as part of a team. 

• Good level of spoken English 

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:
1x hour a week any time or any day that works for you and your older person

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Sustainable Development Goal:

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