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Become a befrienderBefrienders are volunteers who are recruited, trained and supported by COVEY project workers. They establish a relationship with a young person giving them the experience of having a supportive and encouraging adult to relate to. Befrienders will give the young person a chance to have some fun and participate in activities which they would not normally have the opportunity to enjoy.
The role of the befriender is not one of parent, social worker or teacher and being that of a volunteer, brings a non-official quality to the relationship which can benefit the young person greatly.
Prospective befrienders need to be over 18 and preferably have their own transport. In the Clydesdale area, own transport is essential.
What are the qualities Covey looks for in a befriender?
A befriender:
- has time available for regular meetings
- is reliable and organised
- has a sense of fun
- has ability to build rapport with young people
- treats young people with respect
- has elastic patience
- is flexible.
What is the process of becoming a befriender?
Anyone interested in becoming a befriender embarks on an assessment process. After an initial conversation indicating their interest, prospective befrienders receive additional information and then a home visit by a Project Worker who gives a fuller picture of befriending, what it involves and what COVEY offers volunteers in the way of training, expenses and support.
When an application form is completed and returned to COVEY, references are taken up, a Disclosure Scotland criminal record search carried out and a doctors report obtained.
Prospective befrienders are then interviewed by a member of staff and member of the Board of Directors, and if successful, invited to training.
What is involved in the training?
Training takes place over 5 evenings and covers the following:
- roles and responsibilities of a befriender
- the context of befriending / Families and young people
- boundaries
- challenging discrimination / Handling conflict
- the pairing process
- endings.
Befrienders are expected to attend all training sessions.
What commitment is expected?
After training, befrienders agree:
- to commit a regular block of time to a young person over a period of at least six months
- to plan, with COVEY and the young person, an interesting programme of activities, outings and pastimes in order to facilitate a relationship
- to attend regular befriending reviews
- to respect the need for confidentiality
- to accept and remain within the COVEY guidelines regarding policy and procedures
- to be sensitive to the needs of the young person and to adopt a flexible approach to working with the young person.
COVEY volunteers receive all out of pocket expenses and ongoing support and supervision. There is opportunity for additional training which befrienders are encouraged to attend.
New Opportunities for Volunteers
Contact us to find out more if you:
- are interested in daytime befriending - we support young people in the Carluke learning community and also those involved with Youth Justice
- would like to help out in a group setting
- would like to develop your skills in working with young people
Call to find out more.
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