VASL
Voluntary Action South LeicestershireAbout VASL
Community Champions empowers people over 60 who live alone, enabling them to make new local friendships. The project provides befriending volunteers who visit people at home, or accompany people out to community venues. Digital volunteers who can show older people how to use their smartphones or tablets to connect with people, research information or book doctor’s appointments online. Other volunteers provide regular social contact through phone calls, letters or emails. The project also organises free monthly Community Gatherings providing accessible transport for 25 people to make new friendships.
The Community Well-Being Harborough service also organises telephone and face to face befrienders for people who want to improve their well-being
Support for Carers Telephone Befriending also arranges for telephone befrienders to ring carers for emotional support .
Torch Way, Market Harborough, England, LE16 9HL
Service Eligibility
Eligibility criteria:
Community Champions
- You are over the age of 60
- You live alone
- You live in Harborough District
- You do not have a diagnosis of dementia or serious mental health issues
Community Well-Being Harborough
You are over 18, live in Harborough District, and want to improve your social, mental and physical well-being
Support for Carers Telephone Befriending
You are an informal carer ( not paid) and have access to a phone
Information for Volunteers
To apply:-
Ring VASL on 01858 433232
Visit website and apply online Volunteering with VASL – VASL
Volunteer Roles
Face to face Befrienders visit people at home or meet them in the community, usually once a week for social contact and encouragement to make new connections through joining local groups.
Telephone Befrienders ring people / carers at a pre-arranged time and listen, offer emotional support and provide regular social contact.
Time
Minimum is one hour per week during normal office hours ( Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm)
Qualities
Good communication skills – both listening and speaking
Organised and reliable
Encouraging and empathetic
More InformationAge Groups
Young People (18-25), Adults (25-65), Older Adults (65+)Themes
Care Experienced People, Carers, Dementia/memory loss, Ethnic Minority Communities, Mental Health, Older PeopleRegions
Country: England
East MidlandsOther Information
Type of Befriending: Distance befriending including telephone, video call, letter writing or other means, Face to face befriending which takes place in the home or community
Who can refer: Self Referrals Accepted, Friends & Family Referrals Accepted, Professional Referrals Accepted