Intro
IntroductionWhen someone volunteers, they offer themselves with the aim of doing something for other people. They are willing to spend some of their time unpaid, working for an organisation. It is important to remember that this is not simply a one way transaction. In return for your time, quality and skills, attitude, and experience, the scheme can offer you clearly defined work, supervision, training and expenses. Also as a volunteer you will have the opportunity to meet new people, gain new experiences and get real job satisfaction.
About the organisation
The Making Space befriending scheme has been developed by Making Space, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, together with Rochdale Health Authority and Social Services. Making Space has worked in the North of England since being established in 1982 offering practical help and support to people affected by long term mental health problems.
What is a Befriending Scheme?
People with long term mental health problems often find themselves socially isolated and lacking in confidence as a result of their illness. The making space Befriending Scheme aims to link volunteers with individuals like this who need friendship and community support. Volunteers can offer people with long term mental health problems the type of support we all need from our friends at times. As a result, people who use the scheme will be given the opportunity to improve their quality of life and take part in activities which most of us take for granted.
Befrienders will find themselves sharing a variety of experiences with the service users. These can range from simple things like being there as someone to talk to, through to activities and interests such as going to the cinema, meals, evenings out, going to sports event and so on.
What sort of people volunteer?
Volunteers are ordinary people who do a very special job. If you have a couple of hours a week to spare each week and can offer friendship and support to someone who has a long term mental health problem, you can act as a link between him or her and the local community. You do not need to have had any experience of mental health issues as training and support will be given by the befriending scheme co-ordinators.
What is more important is that you like meeting people and getting to know them, that you are reliable and that you have an open minded approach to different types of people. Enthusiasm and experience of life will also be of help to you as you develop your friendship with your partner.
You will probably want to find out more about mental health issues and this volunteer role will enable you to gain practical experience of mental health services as well as the opportunity to receive training about different mental health issues. You may have interests and skills, which you would like to share with someone else and you will find that through shared activities a mutually rewarding relationship can develop.
How much of a commitment do I have to make?
The amount of contact, which you have with the person you are befriending, is something, which you will work out between yourselves. You may visit them once a week for a cup of tea and a chat, you may accompany them to some regular activity or you may support them in something different each week. The main thing is that you are reliable about the arrangements you have made. A couple of hours each week is all that is needed. However we do ask that once we have found a 'good match' for you, we would like you to act as a befriender for a minimum of 6 months.
How do I become involved?
There are three stages in volunteer recruitment. Firstly you can contact the Befriending Scheme Co-ordinators for an informal talk about the scheme to see if its what you are interested in. Secondly you are asked to fill out a simple application form, third and final stage is an informal interview at the Making Space Befriending Scheme office. You will then be invited to take part in induction training before meeting with a potential client.
How does the matching up process work?
People who want to use the service have also filled in a simple application form on which they have described the ways in which a befriender could help them. To match a volunteer befriender and a service user we will be looking for compatibility and possibly shared interests. If either of you have specified a particular age range or sex of you partner this will also be taken into account. When trying to find a match it may take a little time, bit it is worth it in order to give the new relationship every chance of success.
Meeting each other.
The Befriending Schemeg each ot Co-ordinator will go with you to the first meeting to introduce you to the service user. This meeting will take place somewhere the service user feels comfortable such as at home over a coffee.
If both parties feel they would like to meet each other again, the relationship should develop naturally at its own pace. Through talking and sharing experiences and activities the partnership will hopefully develop into a mutually rewarding friendship.
What sort of support will I get?
The Befriending Scheme Co-ordinators will keep in close touch with you in the first few weeks of your work as a befriender. This support will be ongoing and you will be encouraged to speak to them about any questions or issues you may have. You will meet with the co-ordinators once a month for supervision, this will give you the opportunity to reflect on things that have gone well or maybe not so well. To talk about any worries you may have . There will be monthly volunteer support group meetings, which will also give you the chance to meet with other people doing the same thing and to share experiences with each other.
How can I claim expenses?
You will be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses incurred in your work as a befriender. You will be asked to fill in a claim form and collect receipts.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or know of someone who may wish to volunteer please contact:
If you interested in having a befriender and want a referral form please contact the above address.
Please note we do not accept referrals, which are for alcohol, drug or organic conditions i.e. Dementia
Family Support Service
Who is a Family Support Worker there for?
Many people in the community are caring for someone with a long-term mental health problem.
You may be helping a son or daughter, a partner, friend or neighbour, be it in their own home, residential care or in hospital.
You probably feel that you need help, support and information. You may have found that this is often lacking. You may need someone to help you to cope better or speak out for you.
What does a Family Support Worker do?
The main activities of a family support worker are:- To provide information about mental health
- To provide general information about medication and possible side effects
- To advise and help accessing welfare benefits
- To intervene and advocate on behalf of families
- To help carers, and those they care for, to get the services they may need.
Family support workers are also involved with Health and Social Services in the planning and development of services for those who are ill and their carers. They are therefore, working both directly and indirectly to help.
The aim of the Making Space Family Support Worker Service is to provide an easily accessible services that offers practical help.
How is the Family Support Worker different from other professionals?
Social Workers and CPN's are usually involved in helping the person who is ill.
The Making Space Family Support Worker are there mainly for the Carer, which will often involve working with everyone involved.
They might be there to provide practical help or just be there to talk to.
To see other services offered by Making Space please contact:
Making Space,
46 Allen Street,
Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 7JB
Tel: 01925 571680