FamilyLine’s Befriending service offers 10 weeks of telephone support to adult family members experiencing social isolation. Befrienders offer listening, emotional support, and guidance. This helps people increase feelings of connectedness and improve their social wellbeing.
FamilyLine Befrienders are home-based, and all activities in this service are remote. Volunteers have access to comprehensive training before starting their role, as well as regular and ongoing support.
Who you will be helping
You will be supporting adults (18+) who are experiencing social isolation, feelings of loneliness and those struggling to feel connected.
The difference you will make
You’ll be supporting people from a wide range of backgrounds, providing listening & emotional support, suggestions and relevant information to help improve their situation. You’ll be creating space for people to speak openly about their challenges, helping people to feel seen and heard. You’ll support people to identify & make progress towards their goals, offering encouragement and guidance on making meaningful changes to improve their lives.
Typical tasks within this role:
- Build positive, trusting relationships, with clients who feel lonely or are lacking a sense of belonging
- Reliably arrange & keep to sessions each week, for 10 weeks
- Create a safe & non-judgemental space for clients to be open & share their challenges
- Work collaboratively with clients to help clients meet any goals they have identified,
- Support client to make connections in the community, and signpost to other available support where appropriate
- Record relevant & appropriate notes about sessions, keeping within FamilyLine's confidentiality policy.
Who are we looking for?
FamilyLine would like to encourage volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for this opportunity, including people who may have had lived experience of marginalisation or social isolation.
This role would particularly suit people with these skills and attributes:
- Communication, especially active listening skills
- Empathy
- Emotional support skills
- A non-judgemental approach
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- A genuine desire to learn, and commitment to personal growth
What’s in it for you?
Family Action volunteers tell us they are highly satisfied with their roles, and find volunteering very rewarding.
Becoming a FamilyLine befriender would bring lots of benefits:
- You would make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing a wide range of challenges to their wellbeing.
- You will volunteer alongside service staff and volunteers who share a genuine desire to help others.
- You will be a member of a values-led organisation with a demonstratable history of building stronger families.
- You will have an opportunity to gain experience maintaining 1-1 therapeutic relationships
- You will build your telephone and digital support skills, contributing to your professional development.
Find out more
You may like to chat with a member of staff about whether this is the right role for you, or you may be ready to apply right now.
Either way, just click the ‘I’m interested’ button below to leave your contact details, and a member of staff will be in touch to discuss your next steps in becoming a Family Action volunteer.
I'm interested
