Overview

The Brain Charity’s befriending volunteers telephone service users who may benefit from an informal conversation. These calls are usually once a week, and can last up to an hour.

The calls aim to support and enhance our clients’ emotional and social wellbeing, as many are vulnerable and socially isolated, by providing a ‘listening ear’. Your support may also include remotely supporting people to set up IT such as Zoom so they can access our online activities.

Volunteers may befriend one person or more, depending on how much time you are able to give. After each call, volunteers are asked to record a brief overview of the conversation.

Full and relevant training will be provided as required. You must be happy to use your own equipment to make calls, as all work is currently being done from home. 

As a Brain Charity volunteer, you will form part of our enthusiastic and committed community. Volunteers are the life blood of our organisation.

Main tasks:

• Telephoning people once a week for an informal conversation.
• Being a listening ear.
• Writing a brief report after each telephone call.

Essential attributes:

• Strong listening skills
• An understanding of professional boundaries, safeguarding and confidentiality
• Ability to communicate with people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
• Warm and friendly approach
• Calm and able to deal with emotional situations
• Non-judgemental and empathetic
• Good organisational skills
• Basic I.T. abilities
• Excellent time and workload management
• DBS Check (will be provided by the charity)

Desirable attributes:

• Experience of working with people who have a disability and or a neurological condition
• Knowledge of the social care / health sector