While volunteers support over 375 people with a free, weekly telephone call, thousands more could benefit from the service.
With 1 in 5 older people in Oxfordshire reporting feeling lonely, and as we move into winter with colder and shorter days heightening feelings of loneliness and isolation, the service is needed more than ever.
How you can help
Volunteering as a Phone Friend requires a minimum commitment of 1 hour per week, enabling you to call up to 3 people and be at a regular time that suits you. Calls can be made from the comfort of your own home and any expenses for call costs are covered.
If you’re friendly and feel comfortable talking whilst also providing a listening ear, you could bring comfort and friendship to local older people this winter.
To register your interest in supporting Age UK to reduce loneliness amongst local older people please call 01295 234 850 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/get-involved/volunteer/telephone-befriending-volunteer for more information.
As a telephone befriender, you could provide company for a lonely older person in Oxfordshire.
What does the telephone befriender volunteer role involve?
It’s a terrible thing to be lonely. Did you know that 1.2 million older people are chronically lonely? You can do something to help by becoming a telephone befriender with Age UK Oxfordshire.
Telephone befrienders get matched with an older person in the community. They call them on a regular basis to provide companionship.
What will you get out of it?
- It’s a great way to make a real difference to someone’s life
- You’ll be giving something to your community
- You get to be part of Age UK Oxfordshire’s volunteer team
- Volunteers find befriending really rewarding
What sort of person are they looking for?
They are looking for someone who is friendly and feels comfortable talking whilst also providing a listening ear.
What is expected of you?
You don’t need to go into an office to make the calls, you can do them from the comfort of your home. Calls typically last between 5 and 20 minutes.
Ideally, they ask that your commitment is to phone two to three people a week and that you keep the Phone Friends Team updated with any issues or concerns that may arise.
They offer out of pocket expenses, training, and support and in return you will join a great team of volunteers. They also have a volunteer newsletter to keep in touch with you.
Full training is offered virtually, usually over Microsoft Teams, for one hour or they can train you over the telephone. You will also receive a training information pack to support you when you make your calls.
Call 01295 234 850 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/get-involved/volunteer/telephone-befriending-volunteer to volunteer today.
