Our Telephone Befriending Service allows trained volunteers to make regular calls to blind or partially sighted people on a weekly or fortnightly basis and establish a rapport with them. It offers a welcome point of contact for service users and is particularly important for those people who are quite isolated or lonely. The service complements our existing Home Visiting service and provides support for our Community Advice Officers.
Responsibilities:
- To undertake a regular, friendly chats by telephone with service users and offer support where necessary to prevent feelings of isolation.
- To recognise when specialist advice or problem solving is needed and to refer service users to Sight Support staff as appropriate.
- To understand and comply with Sight Support’s GDPR policy at all times.
Qualities and skills we are looking for:
- Good telephone communication skills (both talking and listening).
- An understanding and respect for confidentiality.
- Friendly, calm and empathetic manner.
- An ability and desire to develop a positive relationship with new people.
- An ability to take responsibility for your own caseload and keep appropriate records.
- An understanding of issues faced by those with a visual impairment is desired but not essential.
- To undertake training to be aware of safeguarding procedures and be able to raise any concerns.
Support provided to you:
- Visual Impairment Awareness training will be provided and take place at Sight Support HEY.
- Other training as identified.
- Regular newsletters, updates and news from the Volunteer Coordinator at Sight Support HEY.
- Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses such as mileage or public transport costs (where pre-approved).
Download the role description.
If you would like to volunteer as a Telephone Befriender, please email us on [email protected], call us 01482 3472297 or complete the enquiry form below and we will be in touch..
