Volunteer Befriender - OPAL

Location: Opportunities throughout West Lothian

Time Commitment: We ask volunteers to commit to a few hours per week/fortnight for 6 months minimum.  

Hub Location: 27 George St, Bathgate, EH48 1PG. 01506 815815 (view on map)

If you have any questions about the opportunity, please get in touch with us on: opal@cyrenians.scot

You can find more details about this volunteering opportunity in the decription below.

What is OPAL – Opportunities for Active Lives?

Cyrenians OPAL works with people aged 60 and over, promoting active and fulfilling lives, creating and enriching communities which empower all to remain independent, living at home and socially connected. 

The service is delivered by a team of dedicated, trained volunteers who offer encouragement, companionship and support to help people engage in social, leisure and community activities.

Our service is funded through a collaboration with West Lothian Council, West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, and NHS Lothian.

What will you do as a volunteer?

You will be carefully matched with a client and will encourage and support them to take part in activities which they would like to focus on to reach their goal.  Your support and encouragement could help them to:

• Remain independent at home, socially connected and engaged
• Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Increase self-confidence
• Create links with the local community
• Develop informal local support networks

Examples of activities include:

• Taking up a new hobby or interest
• Joining a local club or group e.g. activity groups, local walking group, dementia cafe
• Visiting a library, church, local gallery or exhibition
• Attending an event e.g. gala, open day, taster session, tea dance
• Going for short walks

Does this sound like you?

• Over 18 years old
• Good at listening and engaging with people
• Friendly and easy to approach
• Reliable with good time keeping
• Patient and empathetic
• Respectful of confidentiality and do not judge
• Flexible to the needs and ability of others
• Able to work within set boundaries
• Able to keep accurate visit records and feed back to the team regularly

We will provide support and continued training needed for you to engage with the tasks and people in a safe manner.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

• Rewarding experience making a positive contribution to a person’s quality of life, health, and sense of well-being.
• Develop empathy and listening skills
• Connect with new people and make new friends
• Gain work or study experience or try new things for retirement
• Personal development with training and ongoing support provided

What you need to know

• When volunteering, you will engage with people who may be considered particularly vulnerable in our society. It is therefore required that you are a member of the PVG scheme in Scotland. If you are not already a member, then we will process your application with you. There are no costs to you in becoming a PVG scheme member for volunteering with us. 
• We cover local travel costs at public transport rate or mileage (45p per mile) and out of pocket expenses.

About Cyrenians

At Cyrenians, we tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness.

Everybody deserves the opportunity to lead valued, fulfilling lives. The support we offer is person-centred and relationship-based – meaning that we work alongside people towards the change they would like to see. Our core values are Compassion, Respect, Integrity and Innovation.

Cyrenians’ head office is based in Edinburgh, with smaller offices in other areas, including Falkirk and West Lothian. Cyrenians is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered charity SC011052