Telephone Befriender

What is the telephone befriending service?

We offer a telephone befriending service for people who may be at risk of loneliness or isolation so they can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone from the comfort of their home.

Many people feel lonely from time to time. Still, some of us are at a greater risk as other factors contribute to this feeling such as old age, social anxiety, living alone, being unemployed or having caring responsibilities, and many more.

As a volunteer, you will provide support to someone who may be isolated or lonely. It's a safe and easy way to get to know someone from the comfort of their own home.

Volunteers will be matched with recipients who have requested telephone befriending, by one of our team to have a weekly telephone chat together.

About Oswestry Community Action (Qube)

Oswestry Community Action, (Qube) is a registered charity and multi-service provider of community facing wellbeing services. Our mission is to support and enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of communities in Shropshire and the bordering Welsh counties. We support people through the provision of community transport, social groups and befriending, volunteer brokering, community health awareness support and arts and culture. Our service offering has developed over time and continues to evolve in response to local need; such as rural poverty and lack of opportunities; particularly for social isolation, education and poor public transport provision.

What skills do I need?

What's great about becoming a telephone friend?

• It's a free, simple way to give something back through a weekly call to a person at risk of the              isolation.

• Our dedicated team will match you with someone who has shared interests, where possible.

• Your calls can make a huge difference to the happiness and wellbeing of the recipient.

This is what we'd also expect from you:

• Make time for a phone call on the same day and time each week

• Able to show your telephone friend respect, patience, empathy and understanding

• Have excellent listening skills and enjoy speaking on a phone call

• Be kind and respectful to your telephone friend

• Agree to our volunteer terms and conditions

• Aware of volunter boundaries relating to your role

• Aware of safeguarding responsibilities

• Let us know if you or your telephone friend need any support

Additional Information

• Every volunteer will receive access to our mandatory online training portal which we ask to be completed before the telephone befriending role starts

• We offer an initial taster session, following registration, and then a four week trial period which        is reviewed for future progression.

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

On a regular weekly basis on a set day and time as arranged with discussion and flexibility.

Where does this role take place?