Befrienders

Odiham Cottage Hospital’s Befriending Service is a volunteer led service run and managed by the Hospital and covers the areas of Odiham, Hook, Hartley Wintney and Old Basing and surrounding villages.  Our clients are those who have become lonely and isolated due to living with a long-term health condition, or are receiving palliative care.  All clients are referred to the service through their GP practice, community health team or another medical professional.

The service recruits, trains and supports volunteers who on a weekly basis visit people in their homes, as well as provide befriending via the telephone.  Our service operates weekdays between the hours of 9am-5pm and volunteers commit to a maximum of two hours each week. 

Clients and volunteers are specifically matched according to their interests, with a view to building a lasting and trusting relationship together.  Both our clients and befrienders find they benefit greatly from the relationships that are formed and the service proves to make a real difference in people’s lives within the community. 

Full training and regular supervision is provided.

In line with current legislation all potential volunteers with be required to undergo a screening process, which will include interview and a DBS.

Skills

• Non-judgmental, accepting a person for who they are.
• Good interpersonal skills, in particular listening skills.
• Ability to work on own/use initiative/common sense.
• Ideally we are looking for volunteers with life experience and a mature outlook.

Volunteers are required to:

• Respect and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Understand and maintain confidentiality & boundaries.
• Provide written report of each client visit and feedback any issues.
• Be accountable.