SCCCC

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SCCCC provides older people (65+) with befriending services and practical assistance around admittance or discharge from hospital to ease loneliness...

Telephone Supporter (Home Based)

This opportunity takes place between 19 Feb 2025 and 31 Dec 2025

Do you enjoy a good chat? Can you spare just an hour a week or a fortnight? Would you like to make a connection to an older person who is feeling isolated and make a real difference to their quality of life? Then come and volunteer with us! We are looking for volunteers for our flagship 'Good Neighbour' scheme who can provide older people (65+) with befriending support in their homes and/or over the phone on a regular basis. You will be a lifeline to an older person who is isolated - having a friendly chat, giving them space to talk and be listened too, can make such a big difference to their happiness and wellbeing and your health and happiness too!

We are looking for volunteers for our flagship 'Good Neighbour' scheme who can provide older people (65+) with befriending support over the phone on a regular basis. We aim to match volunteers and older people according to their needs (e.g. shares the same interests or hobbies). Timing and frequency of your calls can be flexible to fit around your other commitments (e.g. days, evenings or weekends). 

The older people you will be ringing live in Sheffield and Doncaster, but as the role is home based you can live anywhere across South Yorkshire or beyond to apply.  The recruitment and induction process can either be done in person or via Zoom online, to cut down on your travel time and make it more convenient for you.

Interested in finding out more? You can contact Lynn Smith or Helen Abbott, our Volunteer Coordinators, via volunteers@scccc.co.uk or 0114 2505293 option 5.

Overview of Project

SCCCC is a multi award winning charity, that has been helping older people (65+) across Sheffield since 1966. We have recently extended our services into Doncaster, so we can help even more people in need. We link with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and a wide range of health and social care providers to provide practical assistance and befriending support to older people who are in need.

This Role Involves

Befriending an older person on a regular basis (a phone call once a week), having a chat over the phone to reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness. Calls can be made from the comfort of your own home. You can call at the same time each week or flex it around your studies - we don't mind as long as you are happy to call regularly. So it's perfect if you have an hour to spare in the day, evening or weekend. A small amount of your time will make such a difference, by providing warmth, connection and friendship to one of our wonderful older people.

Location

Home Based

Skills/Experience Required

No prior experience is needed. We are looking for people who - Are caring, patient and friendly. - Have good listening and confident communication skills. - Are reliable and trustworthy. - Are able to work unsupervised. - Ideally, are able to be in the role for at least 12 months (you develop a relationship with the older person). - Are willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check (with help and costs covered by us)

Benefits to Others

Loneliness is a pandemic - and the impact of COVID has made a lot of older people across our region even more isolated. We currently have over 500 older people waiting for a 'friend' on the phone or face to face. Older people are referred to us for a wide range of reasons. They have lost a partner or friends; their declining mobility or ill health leaves them unable to get out to enjoy social activities; family and friends have moved away or cannot spend as much time as they would like with them due to their own health/work/childcare issues and responsibilities. Whatever the reason, they are feeling lonely and isolated and this can cause their physical and mental health to deteriorate even further. Chatting to them on a regular basis helps them reconnect to life and the outside world; vastly improving their happiness and wellbeing. Through giving just a little bit of your free time to support them, you really will make a big difference to their life (as well as gaining a wonderful new friend yourself).

Benefits to the Volunteer

You will gain - First hand understanding of the issues that affect older people. - Experience in befriending and buddying. - Improved communication skills. - Personal satisfaction - improve your wellbeing and self esteem by making a meaningful difference to an older person's life. - Improved understanding of the charity, health and social care sectors - Experiences and references to aid future employment in a wide range of sectors. - Ongoing support, training, development and social opportunities

Role Duration

Ongoing

Time Commitment (hours Per week/month/year, etc)

2/4 hours per month

Training Information

Short initial induction session provided. Ongoing training opportunities, support and supervision provided by an experienced staff team to support your volunteering experience.

Expenses Information

Travel and phone expenses provided

DBS required?

Yes
  • Area of InterestBefriending, Elder Care, Mental health, Social Isolation
  • Academic Course RelevanceHealth and Social Care, Medical Care, Psychology
  • Roles suitable for Hallam StaffThis role is suitable for Hallam Staff

Employability skills

  • Assertiveness 0
  • Communication and Listening 0
  • Problem Solving 0
  • Reflection 0
  • Team Work 0
  • Time Management 0
  • Research 0
  • People Skills 0