Skip to main content

Befriending Volunteer Training

Categories: Befriending, Volunteering
Wishlist

About Course

Overview: This comprehensive online training course is designed for individuals who wish to volunteer as befrienders with “Our Neighbourhood,” an exciting partnership initiative provided by Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind.

The course equips volunteers with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide meaningful and effective support to people experiencing social isolation and loneliness.

Objectives:

  • To understand the goals and principles of the “Our Neighbourhood” initiative.
  • To distinguish between befriending and friendship, and the roles of a befriender.
  • To learn how to improve clients’ social networks, reduce isolation, and enhance their well-being.
  • To understand and apply the key guidelines and expectations for volunteers, including confidentiality, safeguarding, and maintaining boundaries.
  • To develop effective communication skills for starting, maintaining, and managing difficult conversations.
  • To understand the principles of equality, diversity, and anti-discrimination.
  • To learn how to safely handle personal data in compliance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
  • To understand the different types of abuse and the principles of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
Show More

What Will You Learn?

  • Understand the goals and principles of the "Our Neighbourhood" initiative.
  • Distinguish between befriending and friendship, and the roles of a befriender.
  • Learn how to improve clients' social networks, reduce isolation, and enhance their wellbeing.
  • Understand and apply the key guidelines and expectations for volunteers, including confidentiality, safeguarding, and maintaining boundaries.
  • Develop effective communication skills for starting, maintaining, and managing difficult conversations.
  • Understand the principles of equality, diversity, and anti-discrimination.
  • Learn how to safely handle personal data in compliance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
  • Understand the different types of abuse and the principles of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.

Course Content

Who We Are
Who are Scarborough, Whitby & Ryedale Mind and how do we fit in with the Mind Network

  • The Mind Network…. A Federation​
    03:21
  • Who are SWR Mind

About Our Befriending Services
An overview of the befriending services available at SWR Mind

What is Befriending
The definition and distinction of befriending from friendship and the benefits of befriending

Conduct
As a volunteer, you are in a privileged position to be invited into someone’s life and provide support at a difficult time. This topic will help you understand what we expect of you

Confidentiality
Understand what we mean by confidentiality and when it can be broken

Boundaries
Understand the importance of boundaries, the types of boundaries and the consequences of boundary violations

Equality and Diversity
Understand discrimination, equality and diversity and how to overcome stigma

Safeguarding
Learn about the types of abuse, safeguarding principles and actions and what to do if you need to report a concern

Health and Safety
Understand how to keep you and your match safe

Well-being
Understand well-being, the five Ways to Well-being and explore self-care for volunteers

Volunteering Skills
Explore and understand the different skills required for volunteering as a befriender including active listening, starting and maintaining conversations and how to manage difficult conversations should they arise

Endings and Exits
This topic involves planning and handling the end of a befriending relationship, dealing with the emotions that surround it and maintaining professionalism

Final Quiz

Thank you
You have now completed your volunteer training

Skip to content