Befriender Volunteer
About organisation / project
SWAN Women’s Centre deliver a face-to-face Befriending Service to the Sefton community with the aim of reducing social isolation and loneliness, whilst building confidence and independence through increasing networks and participation. The service is aimed at women over the age of 18 ready to access their community.
The service consists of an arranged relationship between a volunteer and a befriendee who work 1-1 for 12 months, working towards any goals and targets the woman wants to achieve. The volunteer is supported by the service co-ordinator.
The relationship is informal, social, non-judgemental and mutual. There is a focus on confidentiality in order to build trust and rapport which helps to enable a reconnection for the woman to their local community.
SWAN Women’s Centre deliver a face-to-face Befriending Service to the Sefton community with the aim of reducing social isolation and loneliness, whilst building confidence and independence through increasing networks and participation. The service is aimed at women over the age of 18 ready to access their community.
The service consists of an arranged relationship between a volunteer and a befriendee who work 1-1 for 12 months, working towards any goals and targets the woman wants to achieve. The volunteer is supported by the service co-ordinator.
The relationship is informal, social, non-judgemental and mutual. There is a focus on confidentiality in order to build trust and rapport which helps to enable a reconnection for the woman to their local community.
Details Hide[-]
Swan Women's Centre’s Befriending Service is here to help women over 18 years old in Sefton who have become lonely or isolated due to barriers caused by poor mental health and emotional wellbeing.
We’re proud to have achieved the Excellence standard in the Quality in Befriending Award, reflecting our commitment to ethical and impactful work. This means volunteer Befrienders join a trusted programme where their time and efforts truly make a difference.
Our volunteer Befrienders will support women in Sefton who are unable to fully engage in their community and who would like to take steps towards socialising and accessing services independently.
We offer support and ongoing training to all volunteers to prepare them for their role and enable them to develop new skills.
Volunteers are expected to have weekly contact with the woman, and be committed to them for 12 months. By contact, we mean:
- Meeting for a coffee
- Company during activities or hobbies
- Finding positive social activities
- Help with using public transport or going shopping
- Attending medical appointments or appointments regarding welfare benefits
Additional information Hide[-]
Required Role
Key responsibilities
Mandatory SkillsHide[-]
- Communication
- Interpersonal
- Listening
- Non-discriminatory
- Non-judgemental
- Office IT (Word, Excel etc)
- Positive attitude
Desirable Skills
- Planning and organising
Skill to gain
- Confidence
- Reviewing and evaluation
- Opportunity and Recognition
- Self Management
When can you do this role/Calendar
Minimum commitment level: Once a week
Start Date: 05-09-2025
End Date: 28-05-2026
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