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Training & Volunteering

Training and Volunteering Opportunities for Young People in Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian.

Well-Connected: Volunteer Befriender - 17923

24/6/2022

 
Type: ​Volunteering
Contract: Permanent
Employer: Changes Musselburgh
​Number of Opportunities: 30
​Closing Date: Until candidates are found
Employer:
 
Changes is a community health project in East Lothian, here to help you achieve and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing. We provide support to anyone over the age of 16, living, or registered with a GP in East Lothian. We offer a wide range of services and activities including: One-to-one therapy Support groups and courses Healthy living activities Training Volunteering opportunities.
 
Environment:

Our befriending service ‘Well Connected’ aims to target isolation loneliness and lack of social connections in individuals aged 18+ residing in East Lothian. Since the pandemic there has been a significant rise in social anxieties, worries and loneliness across all ages. Our objective therefore is to pair a volunteer with a befriendee for one-to-one befriending. Whether this be in person face-to-face, through Zoom or telephone as to accommodate for the comfort and ease for both individuals. From going on walks, to getting a coffee, to chatting for an hour on the phone: our befriending services aim to cater the wider community to make it easier to implement positive changes on people’s mental health.

Changes’ office is based in Musselburgh but training, meetups and any other queries can also be done online via zoom or through a telephone call.

Our team is small but warm and friendly and the Befriending Coordinator Zanjbeel will be your main point of contact. If you have any queries or questions do not hesitate to contact her on 07548740741 or zanjbeel@changeschp.org.uk.

What might a day in this role look like?
 
  • As a volunteer you will build a compassionate and trusting relationship with your matched befriendee suffering from loneliness, isolation, and/or a lack of social connections within East Lothian.
  • Being matched based on hobbies and interests as well as location means you will find it easy and natural taking on this befriending role without having to travel far or push you out of your comfort zone.
  • You are not there to meet all the befriendees needs. Boundaries and understanding your own limits of what you can provide is important.

A befriending visit will usually look as follows:
  • Last one hour per week
  • At a pre-planned location/venue
  • Pre-arranged video call
  • Pre-arranged telephone call
  • Mutually agreed time scale

You and your matched befriendee will have the time to have a friendly and compassionate chat while engaging in the community, with the hopes of relieving the befriendee’s feelings of isolation and loneliness.

During your time together you will:
  • Build a strong rapport and relationship
  • Implement positive change
  • Create a trusting and supportive connection
  • Engage in like-minded interests and hobbies
  • Have fun!
 
What will I learn?
 
As a volunteer befriender you will have expert training on safeguarding, crisis handling and role specific training by our team of trained and qualified staff at Changes.

Through your role you’ll learn to communicate confidently, gain an understanding on mental health services in East Lothian and make a positive difference to someone’s mental health and wellbeing.

Working as a volunteer does take courage, confidence, and commitment so we want to make sure you are safe and comfortable during your time with us. We will offer supervision, support from your coordinator and volunteer social events. It’s important to check in with your and your mental health during the course of volunteering so if you want to participate in any other events, courses or training at Changes then do let your coordinator know. 
 
What qualifications/skills are required?

PVG and references. Training provided.

Essential
  • Have a commitment to the values of Changes
  • Be able to demonstrate non-judgemental attitude to other people and their preferences
  • Be approachable and sociable
  • Be compassionate and supportive
  • Be able to work in groups and on your own
  • Have keen interest in one-to-one working

Desirable
  • Have keen interest in mental health wellbeing
  • Have knowledge of local community activities
  • Have experience working with vulnerable people​
Apply

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Supported by Developing the Young Workforce Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian and the Edinburgh Guarantee.

contact us

If you are in Edinburgh, contact the Edinburgh Guarantee: edinburghguarantee@edinburgh.gov.uk or 0131 529 3525
If you are in Midlothian or East Lothian, contact DYW: dyw@edinburghchamber.co.uk or 0131 221 2999 (Option 9)
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