Cohesion Buddy

With your help, we are setting firm foundations on which to build longer term support for our migrant community. Buddying support is a positive step towards engaging with people who want to get out into the local community but have little or no confidence to do so. Support from a Cohesion Buddy can make all the difference to someone who might be fearful or nervous of engaging in local groups and activities.

As a Cohesion Buddy, you’ll be a friendly support person for Migrant Community Members (MCMs) living in Rushmoor. You’ll be matched with someone based on your shared interests and preferences. Together, you’ll go along to different groups and activities that have been chosen by the project lead to suit the MCM’s needs and hobbies.

This could include things like going with them to a sports club, taking part in outdoor groups, or joining volunteering sessions such as helping in a charity shop or cafe.

By spending time with them, you’ll help the MCM build on their strengths, boost their confidence, and feel more included and valued in the community. It’s also a great chance for them to practice their English in a relaxed, everyday setting.

Skills

We are looking for people who can engage easily in conversation and who are:

• Friendly and empathetic 
  
• Good listeners
• Have a non-judgemental approach
• Good communicators
• Patient and sensitive
• Reliable
• Flexible in their approach to volunteering
• Willing to follow service boundaries, policies and procedures
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality and sensitivity

Desirable

• Understand issues faced by migrant people who have faced trauma and challenges in their lives.