Peer Supporter

Volunteer role: Peer Support Volunteer

Responsible to: Adult Carers Support Coordinator

Time commitment: Attending two groups per calendar month alternating Wednesday mornings and afternoon sessions fortnightly, 10am–1pm and 1pm– 4pm. Monthly attendance at a volunteer support meeting, usually on the morning or the afternoon of the group. All our volunteer roles are from Monday to Friday, between 9am to 5pm. We are closed at weekends, public holidays and over the Christmas period.

Location: Community House, South Street, Bromley, BR1 1RH.

Bromley Well:  Age UK Bromley and Greenwich working in partnership with Bromley Well, supporting health, wellbeing, and independence. Bromley Well is an integrated service that provides support for Bromley residents to improve their general health, wellbeing, independence and to help prevent them from falling into crisis.

Adult Carers Support Service: We want our Adult Carers Support Service to make a real difference, and our volunteers are a crucial part of this service’s success enabling us to reach more adult unpaid carers and we welcome new volunteers, joining our team.

Role Summary: Support with co-facilitating activity-based peer groups for Bromley Adult Carers Support Service 19years+.

What will I be involved in?

• Successfully complete online training courses for Age UK Bromley and Greenwich volunteers.
• Group dates and times will be discussed in advance and there is flexibility in attending either mornings or afternoon sessions.
• Help with session preparations and co-facilitate alongside a staff member. This includes preparing and tidying up the refreshments at the beginning and end of the group session.
• Contribute ideas and suggestions for content development in support meetings with the coordinator on a monthly basis, feedback will be provided.
• Organise the sign in sheets and welcome participants into the group venue.
• Be aware of any housekeeping arrangements i.e., fire safety, facilities and ensure that during the session your phone remains on silent. Report any concerns to the coordinator or staff member.
• At all times volunteer in accordance with the organisation’s policies regarding Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Confidentiality & Data Protection. Lone working.
• Represent the professional standards of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich and make sure you wear your volunteer id badge whilst volunteering.

What skills and qualities will I need to have?

• An understanding of the pressures and stress factors facing unpaid carers. Ideally you may have experience of being a carer.
• Good interpersonal skills and teamwork with an ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Be a good listener and have empathy with people, being approachable and welcoming.
• Interested in learning and developing new skills required for the role.
• Demonstrate that you are interested in what the participants have to say by communicating respect and warmth. Listens to the person’s tone of voice and expression as well as their words.
• Be comfortable with silence and be emotionally resilient.
• Develop a non-judgmental approach. The listener may personally disagree with the participants’ opinions or actions but attempts to understand the point of view.
• Being able to maintain client confidentiality, understand the importance of keeping within the parameters of the role with a good understanding of GDPR and Data Protection

Benefits of getting involved:

• Being part of a team who are passionate about helping unpaid adult carers in Bromley and offering support to a group, who are often isolated due to their caring role and connect better with their local community.
• Helping to deliver an exciting and innovative peer support programme that really makes a difference to unpaid carers.
• Ongoing support and role training with feedback given.
• Opportunities for networking with other volunteers and being part of a wider volunteer team.
• Awareness of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich social events, services, and projects

Other information: Prospective volunteers will complete a recruitment process and be required to provide details of two references and agree to submit details for and undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. All our volunteer roles are 18+, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Age UK Bromley & Greenwich will reimburse all expenditure reasonably incurred. Receipts to be provided with expenditure claims.