About
Purple Elephant support local children and families through services such as the Toy Library and Small Steps (early years support), family activities during school holidays, child befriending service ...
Volunteers for our child befriending service
Scan me or visit www.sparkachange.org.uk/o/Purple-Elephant-Productions/opportunities/Virtual-buddy-volunteer-for-our-new-befriending-service/22678 to join
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Summary
Through our befriending service we offer children from vulnerable families the opportunity to have a positive interaction with an adult outside the family.Detailed description
Purple Elephant befriending service - Volunteer Role
We know that some children struggle with day to day life and have found it especially hard since lockdown. Through our befriending service we offer children from vulnerable families the opportunity to have a positive interaction with an adult outside the family.
Befriending volunteers have regular contact sessions with a matched child aged between 5 and 12yrs. They engage with activities that they choose together such as reading, chatting, doing a simple craft activity or playing a game. Sessions are mostly face to face in school, or online if that suits both the child and volunteer.
Befriending volunteers can give children a friendly ear and trusted adult to talk with, giving them a positive role model and listening to their worries. The service is not counselling.
What skills and experience does a befriending volunteer need?
· A sense of humour and the ability to engage with children.
· An open minded, non-judgemental approach.
· Experience of working or volunteering with children including from vulnerable families.
· An understanding of boundaries and confidentiality.
· Willingness to follow safeguarding policy.
· Ideally a current DBS clearance and recent safeguarding training.
Commitment:
It's important that the befriender is able to commit to supporting the child for what could be a relatively long time, possibly over 12 months. We ask that you commit to weekly sessions of up to an hour with the child and monthly supervision with Purple Elephant staff. We ask that you keep a simple record of your contact with the child.
What will you get out of it?
· The chance to help a child have fun.
· To help a family who may be struggling with social isolation.
· Be part of Purple Elephant’s work to improve opportunities for vulnerable families to thrive.
· Valuable experience if you’re looking to return to work or progress your career.
We're especially looking for male volunteers who can add to our existing volunteer pool and provide a positive role model for some of the boys that have been referred to us.