Telephone Befriending Service

Remote opportunity

• 1-2 hours per week

Unlimited positions available

Age UK Norfolk’s befriending service offers a lifeline to many older people who would otherwise feel lonely and isolated across Norfolk. Our befriending service is a chatty, friendly call. It’s the building of relationships with an older person (or persons as befrienders may choose to be in contact with more than one person) and passing on requests for other support. It sounds simple, but it makes a significant impact.

About the Volunteer Role 

Main Purpose

 • To make a weekly phone or video call to an older person (or persons) in Norfolk Tasks

 • To make a weekly call 

• To keep accurate records of all calls made 

• To submit information on all calls made for statistical purposes 

• To adhere to the policies and practices of Age UK Norfolk 

• To keep your Coordinator informed of any changes or requests

 • The ability to relate to and empathise with older people 

• Good communication skills

 • An ability to talk to people on a wide range of subjects

 • Ability to give and to accept support as part of a team 

• Reliability and trustworthiness

 • Ability to work on own initiative 

• A positive and cheerful outlook

Age UK Norfolk are an independent charity with over 75 years experience dedicated to supporting older people in Norfolk but we could not do this without our volunteers as they are the backbone of our organisation and without their help; we simply would not be able to deliver all the services we do. 

We as a society are living longer and Norfolk has one of the larger populations of older people; North Norfolk in particular, has the oldest population in England and Wales. 

Around a third of older people live alone but did you know loneliness can be just as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

Our friendly telephone befriending volunteers love nothing more than brightening an older person’s day, whether it’s by having a general chat on the phone, completing a fun quiz or simply laughing away together! A regular chat over the phone helps to ease the feelings of loneliness and the people who use our service have told us how much they enjoy their social calls. The service often provides a link to the outside world and can act as a gateway for other services and getting valuable support. One of our members are quoted saying “I would be totally lost without it. Knowing someone cares enough to ring.”

The volunteer will need access to a telephone to make calls to their member. Plus  access to the internet and an email address in order to receive communication from Age UK Norfolk and to record the amount of time they have volunteered for. 

The Telephone Befriending volunteer role is something you can do from as little as 30 minutes a week from the very comfort of your own home, whilst at work, on holiday or even whilst walking. 

Registering as a volunteer

We are looking for volunteers who have a genuine interest in older people, are good listeners, love chatting on the phone, and can commit to a regular flexible weekly call. It’s a simple process to register as a volunteer with Age UK Norfolk:

1.    Complete a volunteer application form and supply two referees 

(one can be a manager or a colleague) 

2.    Have an informal telephone interview (30 mins)

3.    Requires an Enhanced DBS check

4.    Read Age UK Norfolk’s Policy and Procedures and Service Guide

5.    Be matched with an older person and start making calls straight away and make a difference!