Building Connections Volunteer

Building Connections is about bringing together vulnerable older people with volunteers in the community to overcome social disconnection. It is available to older people living in Gloucestershire who have contacted, or are referred to our Help Team and identified as experiencing loneliness as a result of lack of social connections, significant life transitions, such as bereavement or ill health, or living alone. Our aim is to build strong relationships, improve wellbeing and social connectiveness, and improve quality of life in a supported way.

You could be at the heart of providing this service as a building connections volunteer. If you have experience in befriending or just enjoy meeting others we'd love to hear from you. You will be involved with a client for a period of 3 months and be in contact both in person and by phone.

The support you offer will be agreed between you and the client at the initial visit but may include:

·        supporting the client on an agreed course of action e.g. starting a new hobby

·        accompanying the client to a social group

·        discussing ways of connecting them with their communities.

·        helping the client with digital support

·        signposting the client to other services provided by Age UK Gloucestershire and other agencies.

Location:

In the client’s home and by phone. Monday to Friday

Time Requirement:

You will be asked

to support an individual a maximum of 4 times over a 3-month period. The day and time of these visits will be agreed between you and the client.