Overview
Our Home Visiting Befriending Scheme was set up to help alleviate some of the isolation that may be caused by visual impairment, for example in a situation where someone has very little contact with friends and family.
A Befriender helps in many different ways such as visiting and having a cup of tea & a chat, agreed shopping or outings together, or more practical help with reading mail or the newspaper. Many of our volunteers and service users build up a very good, long term, trusting relationship.
What you will do: Provide a befriending relationship to visually impaired people. Support our service users with tasks such as reading, guided walking, shopping together, and general socialising especially to those who are isolated and have no company or support.
Times Expected: To be discussed between you and your befriending match to see what suits you both in regards to the specific times and days, we would require some consistency to ensure regular contact.
Skills you will need to have: Good clear communication skills.
Be able to complete a monthly report on the progress of the visit. The use of a car would be advantageous although not essential.
Sight Support Derbyshire Induction Details: You will attend an induction, which will provide you with an awareness and understanding of the main types of sight loss, the impact of visual impairments and how best you can support someone, including a sight guiding demonstration. We will also go through expectations as a volunteer and how you will be supported by us.
Specific Role Training Details: You will receive specific befriending training from the relevant befriending coordinator: Fran for the South of Derbyshire or Kate for the North. They will attend your first match meeting to ensure all goes well and provide ongoing support and guidance.
Expenses: We will reimburse your out of pocket expenses in line with our expenses policy.
Before you start: You will need to provide us with the names of two people who can provide a character reference for you. There will also be a DBS check for this role, which would require you to provide the relevant ID.
