Stroke Befriender for North Cornwall

Stroke Befriender for Bude and North Cornwall - Volunteer Cornwall 

The Stroke Befriending Service provides a Volunteer Befriending Service to anyone in Cornwall who has experienced a Stroke. They will provide communication support, social contact and improved access to activities and services in their community, including existing and new stroke support groups.

We are currently looking for volunteers in the North Cornwall area.

The Stroke Befriending Service is a short-term volunteer befriending service, which offers 6 x weekly visits of up to an hour in length.

Volunteer Befrienders will be matched with people who have experienced a stroke to provide support, information, and encouragement through their recovery process.

This support will normally involve weekly contact for at least 6 weeks through face-to-face meeting.  However, contact may also be offered via telephone and/or video conferencing platforms such as Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

The prime role of the Volunteer is to engage and befriend a person who has been referred to the service.  Volunteers offer help and support, as well as inspiration and guidance when needed.

The befriending role will vary according to the needs of the client but may include:

• Having a conversation and breaking down isolation by listening to the client’s stories.
• Using your own experiences to provide encouragement and support.
• Signpost clients to a range of other support opportunities in the community, including peer to peer support groups and networks.
• Help explore ways that clients can meet new people.
• Arrange regular visits/contact for a minimum of 6 visits.
• Keep records of phone calls and visits made to the client as directed by the Volunteer Coordinator.
• To support the service by completing volunteer hours, expenses, and evaluation processes.

Skills and experience required:

Whist not essential, it is desirable for potential volunteers to have skills or experience in the following:

• A caring role, supporting an individual (family/friend).
• Be friendly and reliable.
• Or first-hand knowledge of the impact and long-term effects of stroke.

It would be beneficial for you to:

• Be confident engaging with people in a friendly manner.
• Be reliable and able to commit to seeing a participant for a minimum of 6 visits.
• To be able to understand and maintain confidentiality.
• To be able to comply with all policies in every aspect of the role.

All volunteers will be expected to agree to a full enhanced DBS check and to provide two References.

Hours/ Days anticipated:

We expect our Stroke Befriending Volunteers will be able to offer a minimum of an hour a week to provide continuity for the clients.

Any other information:

All volunteers will be expected to attend our mandatory training sessions, to include:

• Safeguard training.
• Health and safety and lone working.
• Information governance and confidentiality.
• Communication skills.
• Infection prevention and control.
• Procedures and processes.

The Volunteer Coordinator will provide full support and volunteers will be invited to attend 1-1 supervision as and when required.

Volunteers will be entitled to the reimbursement of their travel expenses as we have a general principal that no Volunteer should be out of pocket when engaging in a voluntary activity.

Contact:

alisonc@volunteercornwall.org.uk

www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/stroke