Volunteer - Befriender (Remote)
Description
- Would you like to help reduce isolation and loneliness for someone living with a disability?
- Do you enjoy meaningful one-to-one conversations?
The Salvation Army enabled “Keeping in Touch” is a member-led initiative providing spiritual and social fellowship for people with disabilities and their family carers. The programme matches volunteers with like-minded individuals to offer regular contact and supportive conversation.
As a “Keeping in Touch” Befriender, you will be matched with someone and arrange to connect at an agreed time and frequency, usually by telephone. With mutual agreement, alternatives such as FaceTime may be used. Through regular conversations, you will build a supportive relationship, help reduce feelings of isolation and provide encouragement.
You will maintain appropriate boundaries, uphold confidentiality and safeguarding practices, and provide feedback to the enabled leadership team where required, including raising any concerns appropriately. This is a fully remote role and can be undertaken from anywhere in the UK.
Location: Remote – home-based (UK-wide)
Time Commitment: Flexible
The impact you'll have
Regular, consistent contact can make a significant difference to someone who may otherwise feel isolated. By offering time, listening and companionship, you will help strengthen connection and belonging within the enabled community, supporting the wider inclusion work of The Salvation Army.
The skills you'll need
You will need to have the following skills in order to participate:
We are looking for volunteers who:
- Value and respect people with disabilities
- Are good listeners with empathy and patience
- Are friendly, respectful and open-minded
- Are honest, trustworthy and able to maintain confidentiality
- Are able to maintain appropriate boundaries
- Feel confident starting conversations by telephone
When
Schedule
Flexible times
Commitment
Ongoing
You will need
Criminal record check required
THE SALVATION ARMY
Health, disability and social care
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and charity working across the UK and Ireland to support people and communities in need. Our work is rooted in faith and driven by a commitment to love, serve, and stand alongside people in practical and meaningful ways.
We support individuals and communities through a wide range of services including homelessness, addiction, unemployment, modern slavery, debt, and isolation.
Volunteers play a vital role in bringing this work to life. We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities and warmly welcome people from all backgrounds to get involved, contribute their time and skills, and help make a positive difference in local communities.
Come and be part of something that makes a real difference, in your community and in the lives of others.