Young Befrienders

Description of the project

Volunteers visit older people in a Council Promoting Independence Centre and provide social companionship for them. Promoting Independence Centres (PIC’s) are for older people who are recovering from a stay in hospital or adjusting to a new life style as a result of an illness and are not quite ready to go home. 

Volunteers helps clients to regain confidence and independence by engaging in activities such as craft work – making cards or painting for example; reminiscence; dancing; singing or simply sitting and chatting to them.

What’s involved:

  • Helping the clients to regain confidence and independence by engaging in activities.
  • Working with clients either on a one-to one basis or in small groups and always under the supervision of a member of staff from Age Concern Gateshead.
  • Providing company to alleviate isolation.

The skills required for this role are:

  • Good communication and listening skills
  • Sense of humour
  • A willingness to learn about and understand the needs of older people
  • Patience and sensitivity
  • Understanding of client confidentiality
  • Reliability

We have had 52 Service Users/Participants involved with our Generations Together Project so far and 14 volunteers have been with us or are still with us.

Due to the nature of this work, we only need a small number of volunteers.  At present we have 6-10 regular volunteers working with residents of two PICs in the Borough.

Quotes from participants:

“Thank you for coming today, I have really enjoyed the singing and the bit dancing I did was great.  I haven’t danced in years!”  Service User at Shadon House in Birtley

“Singing is good for the soul, it cheers me up.”  Service User at Shadon House in Birtley

How to get involved

To find out more call/get in touch with

Suzanne Johnstone

Volunteer Co-ordinator

Age Concern Gateshead

341-343 High Street

Gateshead

NE8 1EQ

Tel 0191 4773559

Email volunteer@ageconcerngateshead.org.uk

Link to Age Concern Gateshead

Our website is

www.ageconcerngateshead.org.uk

It contains information about our services and projects as well as other available volunteering opportunities.