Volunteer Befriender, West Norfolk

We're looking for volunteers to support and mentor others using their own experiences of disability.

Scope’s Community Organiser co-ordinates a network of volunteers to engage with disabled people in the community, enabling them to develop their skills and interests, to build on their social networks and to be active within the wider community.

Your role will be to integrate alongside existing support networks to enable disabled people to develop their skills and interests, build their social networks and engage in opportunities in the wider community with a focus to improve health and well-being.

Range of tasks

The role will be very broad; providing support to disabled children and adults in many settings and with a variety of support needs. Below are a range of tasks you may be asked to get involved with: 

• Engaging with disabled people in the community on an individual basis, to build supportive and trusting relationships

You will be meeting with individuals to build up a rapport and to find out more about them and the things they like to do. Through spending social time with the person you befriend, you will be helping them to develop their confidence, emotional well-being and personal development.

•  Empowering individuals to establish personal goals around their health and well-being

Through encouragement you will empower individuals to make choices on things they would like to do within a community setting to build their social networks and increase their involvement in the local community, with a focus to improve their health and well-being.

• Planning with individuals the steps needed to reach their personal goals

You will assist individuals to plan how they can become involved in the social activities, hobbies and groups they would like to try out. This may include looking at and planning transportation, finding out about local venues, opening times, group times, admission costs, accessibility and support required.

• Encouraging and supporting individuals to access community activities to achieve their personal goals

Alongside carers or paid support staff, you will support individuals to try out new activities and groups; offering encouragement, social support and feedback to help boost their self- confidence. With the ultimate goal to be for the individual to feel confident and happy with what they are doing to continue the activity on a regular basis and to stay involved in the community. 

    The volunteer role will not include:

• The provision of any form of health care
• Medical support or the administration of medication
• Personal care support such as washing, bathing, dressing and undressing
• Risk assessment planning or support planning

Usual hours and time frame

We are looking for a commitment at least three hours a week and can be flexible about days; this will depend on the needs of individuals and will be discussed and agreed with the Community Organiser.

Skills required

• Willingness to develop knowledge, practice and skills to work with disabled people.
• Good communication with a friendly and approachable manner
• Works well in a team
• Empathy  
• Active listening skills
• Personable and approachable
• Knowledge of local area and community groups, or willingness to research.

Support (including reasonable adjustments)

(To be reviewed every four weeks)

• Key contact within Scope
• Relevant materials and tools
• Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses

Training required

• Induction to Scope including our aims and objectives
• Induction to Norfolk Community Organiser
• Safeguarding
• Health and Safety 
• Moving and handling (where appropriate)
• Any other identified / relevant training where applicable

Commitment

• A willingness to attend all briefings and training related to your role where appropriate
• A commitment to support the work of Scope and represent Scope in a positive way
• To value and respect the rights of disabled people to be included in their communities
• Meet time commitments and standards agreed, and give reasonable notice when unavailable, so other arrangements can be made

How will you benefit?

• You will be making a difference to the lives of some of the UK's 11 million disabled people
• Relevant training
• Learning new skills
• Gaining up-to-date knowledge of issues affecting disabled people
• Meeting new people in different situations
• Valuable experience for your CV
• Fulfilment - knowing that your involvement will make a real difference to disabled people and their families

Scope is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. This volunteer role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and satisfactory references.