Befriender (Supporting 10 - 14 year olds, Clackmannanshire)

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Two’s Company is a brand-new service funded by Clackmannanshire Whole Family Wellbeing Fund to support young people aged between 10 – 14 years old via a befriending service and also single parents with mental health issues via a mentoring service. This service will be delivered flexibly over the week to ensure that we are able to respond to the needs of the child/young person and parent. It is anticipated that you will meet with the child/Young person/parent a minimum of once a week initially to build up the relationship, this level of contact will continue to be reviewed to ensure that the child/young person/parents voices are heard in terms of planning.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children and young people. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children and young people – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.

• Tasks: Building positive relationships with young people by meeting with them regularly on a one-to-one basis.
  Encouraging young people to access resources, groups and activities within their local community, such as youth groups and sports clubs.
  Promoting and encouraging service users to make active choices and informed decisions.
  Accompanying young people to attend meetings or attending on their behalf.
  Providing emotional/moral support for young people, while maintaining an appropriate volunteer/service user rapport.
  Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
  Participating fully in training and supervision.
  Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours

• Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
  Approachable and welcoming.
  Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.
  Being non-judgmental and positive in their attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds.
  Good listening and communication skills.
  The ability to manage and respond positively to challenging situations.

• Benefits: Full induction and training.
  Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
  Regular supervision and support.
  Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
  Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
  Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.