What is Southern Befrienders?
Southern Befrienders is a Manx Registered Charity based in Port Erin that supports older men and women with volunteer befrienders in the southern communities of the Isle of Man, including Castletown and Ballasalla.
We currently have over 100 service users who live in the south of the Island. Many of them live alone, but we also support couples. Most live independently in their own homes, but we also visit people living in sheltered accommodation. Befrienders visit our service users on a regular basis for a cuppa and a chat. We have many volunteers, made up of Befrienders, those that help with social outings and fundraising activities and the Board of Trustees.
Our vision and aim is: “Eradicating loneliness – one friend at a time”
This statement is at the heart of all our work.
When we accept an older person on to the service, we visit them in their own home to determine their needs – both emotional and physical. We do a discreet risk assessment of their home, and explain about the service and the professional boundaries, like confidentiality, that must be observed by service users and Befrienders.
What is One-to-One Befriending?
Befrienders visit an older person at home on a regular basis, usually once a week. Befrienders are not expected to undertake any personal care or tasks like housekeeping. We try and match volunteers to members who have common interests to provide a good foundation on which a befriending friendship can grow.
What are the benefits of One-to-One Befriending for Older People?
There are benefits to both the Befriender and the member. For the member, having a Befriender can help with feelings of loneliness and social isolation. The member’s family may have moved away from the area, or even the Island and may not keep in touch. They might feel that they are a burden to their family and may stop asking them for help and company. Others may face mobility issues, which may restrict access to social gatherings or opportunities to leave the house. Their confidence might be affected, particularly if they have suffered bereavement and especially if it is their spouse who has died, as they may have lost their sole companion. This is where a Befriender is of most benefit. They provide empathetic and caring support, a friendly face and a chance for an elderly person to talk to someone they grow to trust.
What can you do to help?
As a one-to-one Befriender
- You would visit an elderly person in their home on a regular basis, usually once a week
- Go for a walk or meet up at a tea room to provide an opportunity for our member to socialise
- You should keep a confidential notebook (provided by Southern Befrienders) where you can log your visits – any concerns you had and reported, any changes in our member’s behaviour or health, visits that went particularly well, and cash handling, etc.
- You should let the Scheme Coordinators know if you have any concerns about our member’s health or
What training and support will you receive as a volunteer?
Once you decide to volunteer for Southern Befrienders, you will have an informal meeting with Val or Debbie who will run through the one-to-one Befriending role and explain about professional boundaries and confidentiality. You will need to complete the application form and start the police check (DBS) process. They will tell you about members who they think will be a good match for you.
- You will attend induction training, when you will receive a useful pack of information.
- We will accompany you on the first couple of visits with our member until you feel comfortable about going on your own.
- Southern Befrienders will run training sessions on relevant topics throughout the year.
- Southern Befrienders run regular informal group sessions so that volunteers can get together to share their experiences.
What will you gain from the experience?
For the Befriender, there is great satisfaction in knowing that you are making a difference to someone’s life. You will learn new skills like active listening and effective communication; skills that are useful in all aspects of your life, particularly at work. You will make a new friend, one who values you and your time, who looks forward to your visits. Your new friend will most likely have a cup of tea and a biscuit ready for you when you arrive and can’t wait to hear your news. A lot of our members just want a chance for a chat and a laugh and reminisce about their lives and experiences.
What skills do you need to have?
No particular skills or experience – just a willingness to listen, patience, a caring and empathetic attitude and a sense of responsibility, as your our member will look forward to your visits so you need to be reliable and turn up or call when you say you will.
Police Check / References
We need two references and obtain a full police check (DBS) for all our volunteers – visits only commence once these are in place. If you have any concerns about this or want more details please contact us in confidence.
contact@southernbefrienders.im