Compassionate Communities Befriender Role Description
About the role:
The aim of the trained volunteer befriender is to reach out to and visit people with a Life Limiting Illness to offer companionship, reduce isolation andassist them to gain the appropriate support to meet their needs. The befriender will where appropriate encourage the person to talk about and share what is important for them and improve confidence in understanding choices at the end of life.The role can provide a valuable break for carers and family, helping to reduce the strain and feel more able to continue their caring role.
Compassionate Communities Derbyshire aims to encourage people and communities to talk about death, dying, bereavement and loss, to enable people to share their preferences and wishes about the future and to support each other in practical and emotional ways.
Life Limiting illness may include cancer, heart failure, respiratory conditions and other late stage disease. This role will be working with adults of any age in the last year of life whose health may be progressively deteriorating. The role may continue for a short time after an individual’s death to support carers or family members.
Key tasks
Visit people with a life limiting illness, their carer and families.
Provide one-to-one companionship, listening and support which could include:
Supporting to take part in social activities such as crafts, board games or walking around the garden.
Participating in discussions and helping people find a comfortable way of discussing their wishes and preferences for the End of Life.
Helping them stay connected to others e.g. family or community.
Accompany to appointments, social groups or local venues such as cafes.
Signposting to other support services
Help with small practical tasks such as making a drink, picking up a prescription or planting some bulbs.
Tasks not undertaken by befrienders
Personal Care - including assisting someone to use the toilet or to wash.
Nursing care/tasks including giving medication
Give advice or counselling.
Large practical tasks that require moving or lifting heavy items, heavy gardening, or that require specialist skills such as DIY or plumbing.
Skills and experience
Commitment and reliability–able to offer a visit of up to 3 hours per week
Empathetic and sensitive approach
Excellent listening and communication skills and able to build a positive rapport with others
Understand the importance of strict confidentiality.
Be clear about the boundaries of the role and the service.
Confident in ability to undertake a role that may be emotionally challenging at times
Respect for others regardless of their race, gender, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
Understand the ethos and philosophy of the Compassionate Communities project.
Training and support
Anyone interested in volunteering will be invited to an initial interview
Volunteers will be required to attend initial training programme and then a post-training interview.
Regular review/support meetings will be offered providing an opportunity to offer feedback and reflect on your volunteer experience.
Additional update information sent out as appropriate to increase volunteer knowledge
An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken before commencing training