Age UK Ealing

Age UK Ealing offers a free Telephone Support and Neighbourly Connector visiting Befriending service to older people who are lonely and isolated.
We can provide friendly phone calls from one of our committed volunteers.
In addition we can provide home visits by a volunteer. The befriending visits could include having a cup of tea and a chat, going out for a walk or to the shops, exercise or a coffee discussing a referral to other Age UK services or simply be a "listening ear".
Our volunteers provide a friendly call or visit to provide companionship and support and can offer information about local services and resources and help with any issues or concerns that may arise. The service strives to keep people connected and well. The service is offered to older people in the London Borough of Ealing who are:
- Usually aged over 60
- Usually living alone
- Isolated
- No regular visitors or family living locally
- Housebound or with limited mobility
Referrals:
Self-referral, referred by a friend, relative, carer, a health or social care professional or a voluntary agency.
Every Christmas we deliver Hampers to all on the service. Winter warmer hamper. These will have seasonal goodies and also items to help keep warm. We have a local primary school who make the cards for us which really make the hampers special.

Information for volunteers

Our volunteer befrienders provide a really important and highly valued role, which aims to provide companionship, and to help combat loneliness and social isolation among older and vulnerable members of our community through either telephone or visiting our clients who live in the London Borough of Ealing
What a volunteer befriender does:
• Has a telephone call or has visits with an older person on a regular basis
• Provides company to alleviate isolation.
• Provides information and refers to other services
Help an older person to become digitally connected by phone, tablet , computer or email
• share a cup of tea and a chat(at present no visits due to the pandemic)
• Accompany someone to a GP/Hospital appointment(at present no visits due to the pandemic)
• Help someone to get out and about – perhaps escorting them to do some shopping, go out for a coffee, visit a library, or take an exercise class (at present no visits due to the pandemic)
• Personal qualities most suited to this role:
• Good communication & listening skills;
• Understands confidentiality;
• Sense of humour;
• Understands and empathises with the needs of older people;
• Patient and sensitive;
• Reliable; and
• Able to deal with emergencies.
Training:
Training will be offered to meet the requirements of the role but basic IT skills are essential
How much time is involved? 1-2 hours per week, days flexible as agreed with your supervisor.
Expenses and Insurance:
We will cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses for volunteers (eg travel costs). We will also insure you for the time you are volunteering with us.
A DBS police check certificate will be required. We can help the volunteer to obtain a free but compulsory DBS police Check.


Contact

Age UK Ealing
Greenford Community Centre
170 Oldfield Lane South
London
UB6 9JS

Themes

Age Groups