This service provides volunteer visitors to the housebound elderly or disabled.
The main aim is to bring friendship and company and to relieve social isolation. The Befriender will chat over a cup of tea, may play board games or go for a walk, but mostly what they do is listen and offer support. They do not carry out personal care or household chores.
We have 27 clients (plus a waiting list) and 20 Befriender. This means we need more volunteers.
The Befriending Service is run in partnership with CARM (Caring All Together on Romney Marsh) and Ashford Volunteer Centre, to run the same service across Shepway and Ashford. Anyone wishing to find a Befriender should ring the Befriending Co-ordinator Nikki Holt on 01303 259007.
You will need to be a reliable caring person and be willing make a commitment of at least an hour a week on a regular basis.
The Volunteer Centre will take up 2 references and you will need to undertake the usual DBS - Disclosure & Barring Service (Use to be CRB). We will arrange this for you and as a volunteer there is not coast to you.
You will have an interview and then any training you may need.
Travel expenses will be paid.
Please telephone 01303 259007 to arrange an informal interview or for more information.
Referrals to this service usually come from other agencies (such as Social Services or Age Concern) but family members may also refer a relative.
There is an application form to complete and the Co-ordinator will visit to assess suitability.
Please telephone 01303 259007 for more information.
