Become a Volunteer Befriender

We are very fortunate to have volunteer befrienders of all ages (18 to 80's) who give from 20 minutes to a couple of hours per week. They come from all walks of life, different professions and areas and all are, without question, exceptional.

Our Volunteers' Journey

On initial enquiry we will send you an information pack.

You will then complete a Disclosure Scotland PVG application and we will take up 2 references.

We will either meet with you or speak on the phone to find out about you, your interests, life experiences, family and more. We want to get to know you.

You will then begin your training – a series of short learning workbooks, completed at home in your own time, followed by a discussion with your coordinator on completion of each one.   

Support and Supervision

We offer regular support and on-going supervision for all volunteers with a coordinator to ensure the friendship is working well. 6 monthly and annual reviews with both volunteer and Friend are carried out. All of our volunteers are offered optional on-going training opportunities and peer support meetings at different times throughout the year and we are always happy to arrange specific training programmes on request. 

What Rewards can our volunteers expect?

• Training and on-going development.
• Learn more about mental health and/or memory loss.
• Regular supervision and plenty of support.
• Expenses paid.
• Opportunity to participate in optional peer support activities and training.
• The satisfaction of knowing you are doing something invaluable with a little of your spare time.
• Knowing you are helping improve another person's health and wellbeing.
• Knowing you are part of a growing and successful organisation.
• Knowing that your contribution is highly valued.
• Improve your CV and career opportunities.
• Meet new people and develop meaningful friendships.

Does Befriending really make a difference?

Our validated research, carried out for us by the University of the Highlands and Islands in 2013, clearly proves that regular befriending contact, both by Face to Face and Distance befriending makes real and positive differences to people's lives and helps to:

• Reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness.
• Gives people something to look forward to.
• Increases feelings of self-worth, trust and confidence in others.
• Provides opportunities for new interests and involvement.
• Increases a person's confidence to widen their social networks.

Befriending Volunteer Role Description

If you would like to join our team, please download the application form below and return it fully completed, signed, and dated to:

Befrienders Highland, 1st Floor, Academy House, 42 Academy Street, INVERNESS, IV1 1JT,

or email it to info@befriendershighland.org.uk

If you have any questions, or would like a paper copy of the application form sent out, please contact us.

Befrienders Highland Volunteer Application Form (DOCX version)

Befrienders Highland Volunteer Application Form (PDF version)