Befriender

Location
Out and about, mostly in Wandsworth and Lambeth
Expenses
Share will reimburse reasonable travel costs between TFL zones 1-6, and the cost of your activities.
Hours required
We’d like our Befrienders to commit to one visit per week or two, spending up to two hours together. This can be at any time, on any day of the week, depending on what is convenient for both people.
Contact email
volunteering@sharecommunity.org.uk
Contact telephone number
020 7924 2949

 As a volunteer befriender you'll offer support and friendship to our students who are adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. They may also have a physical or sensory disability, and mental health needs. Befrienders will meet up with our students outside their homes to go out locally together to do activities chosen by our students. This could be going for a walk, cycling round the park, or helping with grocery shopping.

About Share

Share is a registered charity and a centre for training and wellbeing. We provide a range of programmes helping adults with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs become more happy, healthy and independent. Our vision is a world where disabled people are fully included in society, living the life they choose, and we need the support of amazing volunteers like you to help us make that happen.

About the role

This project launched to combat the negative effects that prolonged periods of isolation have had on those who are vulnerable within our community. You’ll give people regular valuable contact with someone outside their immediate support bubble, helping them feel less alone. You’ll support them to maintain positive mental health and encourage communication on meaningful topics or shared interests, helping to promote positive outlooks and raised confidence.

Commitment

We’d like our befrienders to commit to one visit per week or two, spending up to two hours together. In order to give our students some stability, we’re hoping to find volunteers who can commit for at least six months. After six months, Share staff will support you to either end or continue the befriending.

Who we're looking for

There are many qualities and characteristics that create a strong and valuable befriender. We need volunteers who are:

  • Good listeners
  • Able to understand how a learning disability can impact somebody's life
  • Able to approach new people without prejudice
  • Honest and trustworthy
  • Committed and reliable
  • Respectful of confidentiality
  • Friendly and warm
  • Empathetic and compassionate
  • Professional in their approach
  • Able to offer a caring and understanding presence
  • Local to Wandsworth or Lambeth, or willing to travel there

Share is a member of Befriending Networks, a charity providing support, training and guidance to hundreds of befriending projects across the UK. Befriending Networks envisages a society that values befriending, recognises its importance, and provides befriending support to everyone who needs it.

What do our current befrienders say?

‘My favourite thing about being a Befriender is being able to positively impact on someone's life.’

‘There is also lots of support for volunteers, well organised and is always made enjoyable by the staff.’

Why choose Share Community?

In 2023, Share was awarded the Investing in Volunteers quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. We were praised for our inclusive, welcoming, and flexible approach.

Previously, we also received a Best Practice in Volunteering Award from Lifetimes, an organisation that supports voluntary and community activity in Wandsworth. They were impressed by the support, training, recognition and reward that we give to our volunteers. 

In return for you giving up your time for us, you can expect:

  • A warm welcome into our organisation from our dedicated volunteering team.
  • A full-day training for all new volunteers to give you confidence in your role.
  • Ongoing support, and ‘top-up’ training from staff including topics like: Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, and Makaton.
  • An opportunity to develop new skills and add to your CV.
  • A reference for your time with us.
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses within TFL zone 1 – 6.
  • £5 towards lunch, or a free lunch in our onsite canteen at our Clapham Junction site (if volunteering for more than four hours a day).
  • Invitations to all our events such as: our garden parties, away days, Christmas parties and our student awards ceremony.
  • The opportunity to have your say in our annual volunteer survey.
  • A genuine opportunity to make a difference and become part of a community.

Please note that all Volunteers are required to provide professional references and undergo an Enhanced DBS check.

If you'd like to have a chat about the role, or you'd like any help with the application, please contact us:

Email volunteering@sharecommunity.org.uk or phone 020 7924 2949. 

 

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at Share, complete this form and one of our team will be in touch.

Volunteer Details
What type of volunteering opportunities are you interested in?

(tick all that apply)
Would you like receive updates about our work including our newsletter by email?
I declare that the information given in this application is a true and complete statement. I understand that any offer of appointment and subsequent volunteering is subject to satisfactory references and satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland at the appropriate level, where this is a requirement of the role (if stated in the volunteer role description).

By submitting this form, you give Share permission to contact you in relation to your enquiry. For more information please visit our privacy policy page.