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VCH Befriending Service provides support to people living in the London Borough of Hounslow who are over the age of 18 years, living alone and emotionally and/or socially isolated. Some clients have a sensory and/or a physical disability and others may suffer from long-term ill health and or mild mental health difficulties. Clients are referred to the Befriending Service by Social Services, local Health Professionals, family, neighbours and voluntary organisations. The Project Manager makes a careful assessment of each client and then finds a suitable volunteer to match with that client.
A trained befriending volunteer will visit a client once a week for up to two hours and provide regular social support and contact.
All volunteers are recruited through Volunteer Centre Hounslow. Before being placed, they receive an induction and one to one training which covers topics such as listening skills, boundaries, confidentiality, equal opportunities, health and safety and good practice. The project manager provides ongoing support by telephone and one to one supervision. Group training is also delivered on a variety of topics such as Bereavement & Loss, Social Exclusion, Basic Counselling Skills and Dealing with Depression.
What the clients say...
“I have a new friend who is willing to help me live an independent life
- that is the best thing anyone can do.”
“My life has changed overnight. It’s wonderful to know that I have
a visitor who stays and listens and is happy to spend time with me.”
What the volunteers say...
“Hearing my client laugh is so rewarding.”
“The knowledge that I make a positive and constructive difference and contribute to someone else’s happiness and well being has increased my own confidence and sense of value.”
For more information and an informal chat contact the Befriending Service Manager, Christine Mahoney, at Volunteer Centre Hounslow or email: befriending@volunteerhounslow.org.uk.
The Helping Hands Scheme is approaching its tenth anniversary and is currently supported by Bridge House Estates Trust Fund. The Scheme incorporates a Gardening and Decorating Scheme, which can offer help to older or disabled people in Hounslow Borough who live in their own or privately rented property. A team of volunteers work on the Scheme, supported by a paid co-ordinator. Individual volunteers also carry out one-off practical tasks independently such as driving, escorting, shopping or anything that will help an older person remain independent in their own home. The Scheme has an office-based administrator who assesses the requests and co-ordinates the individual volunteers.
The Handyman Training Scheme is a later addition to the Helping Hands Project and has been running for four years now. This Scheme aims to train volunteers in D.I.Y skills whilst undertaking small practical tasks for older or disabled individuals within and outside the home which increase clients’ safety and security. Each volunteer spends 8 – 10 weeks with the Handyman Trainer. This scheme is beneficial for volunteers who require a high level of support and aims to increase confidence and employment prospects for the volunteer trainee.
As with The Befriending Service, Volunteer Centre Hounslow recruits volunteers for both parts of the Scheme in the normal way. They are given appropriate training and support as well as an opportunity to get together socially with other volunteers to share experiences.
For more information about Volunteer Centre Hounslow’s Helping Hands Scheme, email us at helpinghands@volunteerhounslow.org.uk.
The Volunteer Support Project works with volunteers who need a little extra help to get involved with volunteering. Sometimes these volunteers are identified through the normal recruitment process. Others refer themselves directly to the Project or are referred by social workers, health professionals and key workers. Potential volunteers who feel they will need more support to find and sustain a voluntary placement are offered extra help and training by the Volunteer Support Manager to enable them to access volunteering opportunities and they can also receive ongoing support in their placements.
For more information or to register as a volunteer with this Project, call Volunteer Centre Hounslow or email vsp@volunteerhounslow.org.uk.
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