Norfolk Befriending Service volunteer

About Caring Together Charity

Three in five of us will become a carer at some point in our life. Caring Together is a regional charity that provides emotional and practical support, advice and guidance to carers of all ages and their families, as well as opportunities to take a break from their caring role.

Summary of the role

Our Norfolk Befriending Service aims to offer an inclusive, trusted service that links volunteers with unpaid carers to help reduce loneliness and isolation, build confidence, and improve wellbeing.

The role is flexible to suit your interests and lifestyle and we look to match people who share similar hobbies and interests, enabling both parties to benefit from the service.

Our volunteer Befrienders provide a range of support for unpaid carers, from regular companionship at home, as well as supporting carers to use services in their community whether that is heading to the library or take part in a hobby, or to provide practical support such as dog walking, collecting prescriptions, shopping or gardening.

Volunteer Befrienders can also offer companionship for the person that the carer looks after at home, to help make it easier for the carer to get out into their local community for activities that give them support, friendship and improve their wellbeing.

The service is based across Norfolk and volunteers can agree to areas within the county they are willing to consider travelling to.

Skills and experience

• A desire to make a difference to people’s lives.

• Like working as part of a team.

• Be approachable and non-judgemental.

• Enthusiasm.

• Be friendly and enjoy meeting and supporting people.

• Good verbal/written communication skills.

• Good listening and conversation skills.

• Be committed, reliable and trustworthy.

• Be understanding and respectful.

• An ability to demonstrate patience and sensitivity.

Our commitment to you

• The opportunity to use and enhance your existing skills and develop new, transferable skills.

• Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses.

• Full and comprehensive training will be given as well as regular debriefing and on-going support.