Befriending volunteer

Living with a visual or hearing impairment can sometimes limit the social opportunities available to our service users. As a befriender, you will provide valuable social contact by regularly spending time with someone, whether that’s in their home, out in the community, or through regular telephone calls.

Befriending is a great opportunity to create a positive and lasting impact for both the service user and the volunteer. It is an extremely rewarding role that makes a real difference by offering friendship and companionship to someone who may otherwise feel isolated.

Our flexible, person-centred befriending programme is designed to ensure you feel prepared, supported and valued throughout your volunteering journey.

We carefully match volunteers and service users based on shared interests and geographical location, helping friendships develop naturally and creating an arrangement that works for everyone. To make sure we get this right, there may be a short waiting period after you complete your induction before we are able to match you with someone.

This role requires empathy, good listening skills, flexibility and an understanding that, as with any friendship, there will be times when life gets in the way and plans may need to change or be cancelled at short notice.

Commitment

• Befriending volunteers are asked to volunteer regularly for a minimum of six months.
• We may occasionally invite you to support events or other activities, but this is entirely optional.
• Provide two references and complete a DBS check, as you will be supporting vulnerable adults and children.
• Complete any training required for the role.

Benefits

• Meet new people from all walks of life.
• Experience the satisfaction of making a real difference to someone who may have very little social contact.
• Receive Sensory Awareness Training from a qualified Vision Rehabilitation Specialist.
• Develop new skills and gain valuable experience volunteering with a local charity.
• Enjoy ongoing support and guidance from our Volunteer Coordinator throughout your volunteering journey.

Location

The Wilberforce Trust is based at Wilberforce House, The Grove, Dringhouses, York YO24 1AN. However, your befriending activities may take place in a range of community locations. We aim to match volunteers with service users based on shared interests and geographical location wherever possible. Full details will be discussed during your induction.

Timeline

• Applications are welcome throughout the year and can be made by completing the Volunteer Application Form at the end of this page.
• Your training and start date will be arranged with The Wilberforce Trust.
• If you are a university student hoping to use this opportunity as part of an academic or placement module, we would love to hear from you. Please note that DBS checks can take several weeks to be processed, and you will need to complete your training before volunteering in the community. We therefore recommend applying at least 12 weeks before your placement report deadline.

If you have any questions about the role, need help to complete the application form or wish to speak to us about any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please email volunteering@wilberforcetrust.org.uk or ring us on (01904) 760037.

Now is the time to get involved and help us to make a difference to the children and adults living with a sensory impairment across Yorkshire. To join our growing group of volunteers, please complete the the Volunteer Application form below or download it and send to us.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

Name *

First

Last

Select as many volunteering options as you wish to participate in. We will discuss these with you, in more detail, before you join us *

• Befriending
• Visually Impaired Children & Young people Club Support Volunteer
• Microvolunteering (Fundraising, marketing and event preparation)
• Other

If you wish to become a Befriender, we require a minimum commitment period of six months. Please confirm that you can meet this requirement. *

• Yes
• No

Please confirm whether you have the legal right to work and undertake voluntary roles in the United Kingdom *

• Yes
• No

Phone *

Email *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

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Preferred method of contact *

• Email
• Text
• Phone

We are also interested in increasing service provision to people with hearing impairments. are you able to communicate using *

• British Sign Language (BSL)
• Makaton
• British Sign Language (BSL) & Makaton
• Neither, but I am happy to volunteer in activities that do not require them

Please let us know about yourself and your motivations to volunteer with us *

Please select as appropriate *

• Employed full time
• Employed part time
• Currently unemployed
• Retired
• Student

Please provide an indication of your availability, for example, a few hours in the weekend, Thursday afternoons, Monday mornings, etc *

For the purposes of training and communication, could you please indicate if you have access to... *

• Smart phone
• Computer
• Printer
• None of the above

Do you require adaptations due to disability, mobility problems or or other health issues like allergies or dietary restrictions? *

How did you find out about volunteering with us? *

How did you find about volunteering with us?

Emergency contact full name *

Please include: - Full name - Address - Email address - Nature of relationship, for example mother, sibling, etc.

Emergency contact address *

Emergency contact email address *

Emergency Contact telephone *

Emergency Contact - Nature of relationship, for example mother, partner, friend, etc. *

We require DBS checks for volunteers who will be working with children and/or vulnerable adults. We will provide you with a link to apply for one and we will cover its cost. Once the check is completed, you will get a DBS Certificate by post, which you will need to email to us and bring with you on your first activity. Please confirm that you agree for this check to take place *

• I am happy for a DBS check to take place and provide you with a scan/photo of both sides of the certificate.
• No DBS required (Microvolunteering)
• I do not consent to a DBS Check

Reference 1: Please provide the full name and email address of someone who knows you as an employee or student (not a family member) and can provide a reference covering the past three years. If you are unable to provide a single reference covering this period, please provide additional referees to cover the full three years. *

Please provide the full name and email address of someone who knows you in any capacity (not a family member) and can provide a reference covering the past three years. If you are unable to provide a single reference covering this period, please provide additional referees to cover the full three years. *

Do you need any communication support with this enquiry? *

• Large Print
• Audio
• Easy read
• No additional support required.

By submitting this application I give consent to the Wilberforce Trust to process and store my data for the purpose of participation in volunteering activities.

I agree for my data to be processed and stored as per General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and understand that I can request for this consent to be removed by emailing volunteering@wilberforcetrust.org.uk

Submit