If you’re passionate about improving the lives of unpaid carers in your local area, we’d love to hear from you.
We are Crossroads Care Surrey, an established charity of over 30 years, offering a range of support services to unpaid carers and the people for whom they care.
We put carers at the heart of everything we do and provide support to hundreds of unpaid carers across Surrey every year.
Why become a carer companion volunteer for Crossroads Care Surrey?
• Receive high quality volunteer training
• Gain valuable skills in active listening
• Learn more about the caring process
• Support those who are isolated and lonely
• Become an active member of your local Surrey community
Our companions provide visits in carers' homes for up to two hours a week and all you need to provide is a friendly face, have a chat, or do some activities together – perhaps some gardening, or playing a board game, or listening to music. Or you may be asked to provide companionship on a visit into the local community – perhaps to the shops, or a walk around the park, or the occasional day trip further afield…
We have many carers waiting for companionship support in your area. so we'd love to hear from you if you feel you can help . Thank you.
What skills do I need?
As a face-to-face befriender you will have general caring skill which include:
• Patience
• Listening skills
• Adaptability
• Discretion
• Honesty and reliability
• Confidentiality
• Sense of humour
Time commitment
We offer clients up to 6 month or 35 hours of support, usually made up of one-hour visits once a week and we normally ask you to see 2 or 3 clients at a time, initially starting with one. You’ll be able to hold visits at a time that works for you, whether that be during the day, early evening, or weekends.
Training and support
Every volunteer receives full training, irrespective of previous skill and knowledge, so you will feel fully prepared when you make your first visit.
Face to Face training We hold one full day face to face training at locations across Surrey delivered by Volunteering team at Crossroads Care Surrey.
This training includes explaining how we support carers across the county, what befriending is, preparing for your first visit and how the volunteering team will support you during your volunteering. This is followed up by online training for more in-depth learning.
On Going Support
All volunteers are assigned a volunteer coordinator to make sure they are supported in their role. We hold regular volunteer meetings once a quarter for an hour either online or face to face with your volunteer coordinator and other volunteers. Here you would be able to discuss how your volunteering is going, learn from other volunteers and celebrate successes.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Afternoon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Evening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A minimum of 1 visit (between 1-3 hours) per week, up to 5 days per week, depending on what suits you. We can work around times that you are available, so mornings or afternoons only will be fine.
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Submit a quick enquiry to express your interest in this opportunity.