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Community Companions

Community Companions help lonely and socially isolated older people reconnect with their communities by helping them feel more confident getting out and about and using transport – whether its walking, bus, taxi or community transport. Being a Community Companion gives you the opportunity to connect with people in your neighbourhood and help someone regain their independence.

Purpose of the role:

You will be supporting an older person in your local area who wants to feel more confident in getting out and about and wants to feel less isolated. This will be done through creating a goal plan with your companion and supporting your companion to achieve this goal through small steps.

Personal qualities and experience most suited to this role:

  • Good communication skills
  • Enjoy meeting and talking to new people
  • Provide a friendly ear for the older people
  • Reliability and honesty
  • Patience
  • Have a sense of humour!
  • Ideally knowledge of the local area and its transport options.

Training:

A training induction session to prepare you for your role. This will also include meeting the lead coordinator for the service and learning how to use the information resources available. There will also be some light safeguarding training required.

How much time is involved?

Once you are matched up to your companion how and when you meet will be up to you both. We recommend meeting at least once per week.
On your first meeting with your companion the coordinator will be present to introduce you both and answer any questions. After that you will meet together alone, but you will be required to regularly speak to the coordinator after meet ups to share progress.

This is a short term volunteering opportunity therefore we hope that all goal plans will be achieved between 6-8 weeks, if not sooner. It is very important that the visits are regular.

What we hope for you in this role:

  • That you will provide a supportive ear to your companion, listen, be patient and encourage positive thinking and growth.
  • Sometimes, the relationship with the service user may be challenging due to their needs and circumstances and so we hope that you will be realistic about goals being set and be understanding.
  • That you always maintain confidentiality. We ask that you do not disclose your phone number.
  • As a volunteer you are in a position of trust and must not do anything which does, or could be seen to, undermine or abuse that trust.
  • You must always support, respect and adhere to our organisational policies, values and behaviours and management decisions, including all aspects of equal opportunities, health and safety and data protection. Copies of all policies are available upon request.
  • If there is any change in your circumstances that may affect your volunteering, please let us know as soon as possible.

Benefits Offered:

  • Full Insurance cover
  • Volunteer recognition events
  • References given if required after 3 months.
  • Basic DBS
  • Expenses covered

Support and Supervision:

  • The volunteers will be supported by the Community Companion Coordinator
  • If you have any concerns about your volunteering role or the person you are visiting you should let us know immediately so we can take action to resolve any issues or difficulties.

For more information on the role:

Contact Community Companion Coordinator – Kellyjo Pearson

Email: kellyjo.fletcher@ageukhull.org.uk

Email: hello@ageukhull.org.uk

01482 324644

Age UK Hull & East Riding

Axida House

350 Preston Road

Hull, HU9 5HH

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