Dunkeld, Birnam & District Community Development Trust

Information for Volunteers

PH8 Caring Support Befriending, recruits and train volunteer befrienders to visit local people (befriendees), providing social support in a way bespoke to each person. Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships to people who would otherwise be socially isolated and also the opportunity for volunteers to make a real difference in the quality of another’s life. Visits would normally be face to face but could also include telephone befriending, where this suited both parties.

The frequency of visits is determined individually, depending on the availability of the befriender and what suits the befriendee but would not normally be more than once per week. This support is intended for older people and adults with a physical or learning disability within the PH8 postcode area. We will have an initial meeting with all volunteer befrienders to discuss the role and expectations. We send for a Disclosure Scotland check and ask for one character reference. Initial training is provided and there is a befriender agreement, to ensure clarity about the role. Each befriender will have a point of contact for any support required and the partnership will be reviewed on a regular basis.