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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide weekly visits to support isolated individuals and help them achieve personal goals.
- Company: BEfriend, a compassionate organisation dedicated to reducing isolation.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and make a real difference in someone's life.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about mental health and community support.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and enrich lives while enhancing your own community connection.
- Qualifications: Complete mental health training and commit to a year of befriending.
Overview
Our core Befriending Project supports people who are isolated and sometimes housebound. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia.
Our Linked Minds Befriending Project provides specialist one-to-one befriending for adults who are isolated because of a diagnosed mental health problem. This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.
On successful completion of specialist mental health training, the Befriender is matched with someone suitable by a Co-ordinator who then acts as a non-clinical supervisor for the befriending period, which is limited to a year. Where applicable, this can count towards continuing professional development (CPD).
The Befriender, client and supervisor make a plan together with a goal to work towards. The Befriender makes a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client’s home, which may include staying in and chatting, going for a walk, visiting a café, or undertaking a local activity. These visits aim to increase the client’s confidence, help them feel more valued, and support them in joining clubs, meeting others, or pursuing their personal goals. By the end of the year, clients should feel better about themselves, more resilient, and better connected to their community.
Volunteering with BEfriend enriches the lives of those who are isolated and also offers personal rewards, including the development of new skills and being part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.
Responsibilities
- Provide regular (weekly) befriending visits (1-2 hours) to assigned clients in their homes or local community settings.
- Collaborate with the client, supervisor, and coordinator to develop and work toward a agreed plan and goals.
- Attend and participate in supervision sessions with the coordinator and complete any required training.
- Maintain respectful, non-clinical boundaries and adhere to project guidelines and safeguarding policies.
Qualifications
- Successful completion of specialist mental health training (provided by the project).
- Willingness to commit to the befriending period (up to one year) and to work within agreed boundaries and supervision arrangements.
- Ability to communicate empathetically, listen actively, and build trusting relationships.
- Non-clinical role with an understanding of safeguarding and boundaries appropriate to befriending in a mental health context.
Ideal traits
- Compassion, reliability, and teamwork approach.
- Interest in supporting others to increase confidence and community belonging.
Note: This description reflects the BEfriend Befriending roles in Ealing and Hounslow, United Kingdom.
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Befriender: Mental Health (Ealing and Hounslow) employer: BEfriend
Contact Detail:
BEfriend Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Befriender: Mental Health (Ealing and Hounslow)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research BEfriend and their projects. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with them during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former volunteers on LinkedIn or social media. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you. Plus, it’s a great way to learn more about the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your listening skills! As a Befriender, you'll need to communicate empathetically. Try mock interviews with friends where you focus on active listening and responding thoughtfully to their concerns.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the training provided, making it easier to prepare for your journey as a Befriender.
We think you need these skills to ace Befriender: Mental Health (Ealing and Hounslow)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for helping others shine through. We want to see why you care about supporting those who are isolated and how you can make a difference in their lives.
Be Specific About Your Skills: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience or skills that relate to befriending and mental health. Whether it's previous volunteering or personal experiences, we love to see how you can bring value to our team.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your responses to the specific role of Befriender. Mention how your values align with ours and how you can contribute to the community.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at BEfriend
✨Know Your Role
Make sure you understand the specifics of the Befriender role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and the impact you can have on someone’s life. This will help you articulate why you’re passionate about supporting those who are isolated.
✨Show Empathy
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate empathetically. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully built trusting relationships or supported someone in need. This will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions that show your interest in the project and the people you’ll be working with. Inquire about the types of activities you might engage in with clients or how success is measured in the befriending relationship.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves collaboration with a supervisor and coordinator, emphasise your teamwork skills. Share instances where you’ve worked effectively in a team setting, especially in contexts related to mental health or community support.