If you have an hour or two to spare a week and enjoy talking, listening and laughing, the befriending could be for you. There are many befriending schemes that support people in need, both young and older.

Good neighbour projects support mainly elderly house bound people. Volunteer befrienders visit usually once a week for a friendly chat and cup of tea, maybe sometimes giving a carer a break. Sometimes befrienders take people out for short drive or visits to local places.

Other organisations involve befrienders to support people with disabilities young people facing problems or people with social difficulties. As befriending usually involves home visits to vulnerable adults, most organisations will carry out police checks on volunteers and take up references. Training/induction and support is available and guidance given.

Mentoring is a similar role to befriending, but a volunteer mentor as well as befriending - supports, gives guidance and advice on a one to one basis. There are a variety of Mentoring Projects in Wirral which support different groups of people, including young people, ex-offenders, the long term unemployed, ex-drug users and people with mental health problems or learning difficulties.

As volunteer mentors can really make a difference in the lives of those being mentored, being able to give commitment is crucial and generally volunteers make a commitment for at least 6 months. All the mentoring projects in Wirral offer training and support for volunteers.

 

Call Nikki on 0151 644 7577 for more information