MALE VOLUNTEER REQUIRED - Telephone Befriending Service - Check in and Chat

Who Are We?

Carers Support West Sussex is an independent local charity supporting some of the 70,000 family and friend carers living in West Sussex. With more than 30,000 carers currently registered with us, we are dedicated to offering unpaid Carers information, guidance, and emotional support. Our aim is to deliver a well-networked and supportive approach for each carer in the city/town or village in which they live.

We have more than 80 members of staff and over 35 volunteers, as well as a dedicated team of Trustees, we are committed to ensuring carers are recognised and listened to. Carers save the UK economy more than £1 billion pounds to the West Sussex economy and more than £150 billion across England and Wales.

The Role:

Being socially connected and part of the community can really support a person’s feeling of wellbeing and alleviate feelings of being lonely and having no one to talk to. Being able to talk about hobbies and interests with someone else can give a carer a sense of self and what makes them happy in life. It can be just a small thing that can make so much difference. Do not underestimate the value of the call you make to a carer and the impact that will have on their wellbeing. Your calls will help to create social connections for the carer and support them to:

• Feel less isolated and alone in their caring role
• Have an increase in their social connections
• Feel more able to access services available to them in their community

Timings can be flexible to suit, from a minimum of 1 hour per week / fortnight / month up to 3 hours depending upon how many check in and chat calls you will be making. We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months.

What skills do I need?

Personal qualities required:

• An empathetic caring approach when engaging with others
• To be non-judgemental and be able to maintain personal boundaries
• Encourage and promote carer health and wellbeing
• Understanding of the issues carers face
• A sensitive attitude towards other people
• Friendly and patient approach
• Good communicator and ability to start up conversations with people easily
• Listening skills
• Able to accurately record information
• Competent in using email and apps