Activity Buddy
Activity Buddy Role Description
Purpose of the role: To provide support to older people who are isolated at home, to go out and attend a local activity. To assist these individuals to research activities that may be of interest and to support them to take part in activities they choose in the local community.
Each match will involve working with a client for up to 12 weeks.
What does an Activity Buddy do:
Visit an older person, in their own home, who would like to attend some services/activities in the local area. Time with the client may be spent to:
- Gain the persons trust and help them identify the activities that are available and of interest locally.
- Work with them to find ways for them to travel to the activity.
- Where relevant, assist them to apply for Dial a ride, Blue badge, Taxi Cards etc. or seek assistance for them from the Later Life Planning Team
- Assist them to use assisted or public transport options including, if agreed, accompanying them on trial runs. This may include some basic risk assessment.
- Accompany the client to agreed activities for their initial visits to ensure they are confident to continue attending if they wish to. Discuss concerns, offer reassurance and be an advocate to negotiate any special requests from the activitie’s organisers.
- Alert Age UK Barnet staff to any issues or problems the client may need help with.
- Report regularly to the Service Manager.
- Comply with our Lone Working procedures.
Personal qualities and experience most suited to this role:
- Good communication and listening skills
- Understanding of confidentiality
- Sense of humour
- Understanding the needs of and be able to empathise with older people
- Patience, tolerance and sensitivity
- Reliability and honesty
- Ability to stay calm and focused when an emergency arises
- Willingness to work within guidelines, but use initiative if the situation warrants it
- Knowledge of local services and activities would be an advantage
Training: There is a minimum of 3-4 hours training for this role (usually an evening between 5.30 and 8.30.)
Location: Clients homes and community settings.
How much time is involved? On average 1-3 hours per week, per client, including travelling time. It is expected that each volunteer will visit a client for a period of up to 12 weeks until they are confident to go to the activity themselves.
What you can expect from us: Age UK Barnet will cover agreed out of pocket expenses for volunteers (e.g. travel costs). We will also insure you for personal and public liability for the time you are volunteering with us providing what you do is risk assessed and agreed. We are happy to provide references for our volunteers.
We accept volunteers from all backgrounds and welcome applications from those with disabilities or health conditions. This volunteering opportunity is subject to a DBS check.
Responsible to: Claire Rosen, Age UK Barnet, Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley N2 8JT
Tel: 0208 129 7625 or 0208 432 1416 Email: befriending@ageukbarnet.org.uk