Community Befriender (Blaenau Gwent)

Provide companionship, support confidence building and encourage involvement for older people (+50) in Blaenau Gwent County Borough.

For individuals living in Blaenau Gwent County, Wales, or surrounding areas


Supporting older people (50+) living in Blaenau Gwent who are experiencing feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Volunteers provide companionship, support confidence building and encourage involvement in the local community.

Activities include:

  • One-to-one befriending – delivered in the person’s home
  • Community buddying – providing support to engage in community activities through guidance around venue locations, transport options and initial accompaniment to activities where required
  • The establishment of volunteer-led group activities in community settings, identified through individual needs, interests, and gaps in existing services.

You can find out more and register your interest in the role below.

  • Engagement with one or more residents one-to-one and/or in group settings
  • Travel within Blaenau Gwent County Borough
  • Use of IT for community information searches and for communication with your Engagement Manager
  • Reporting back to your Engagement Manager in writing and verbally, as required.

  • Good listening and communication skills, with understanding of confidentiality
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Reliability
  • Awareness of, and adherence to, Volunteering Matters values
  • Facilitation skills if opting for group activity facilitator.

As a volunteer, you will receive:

  • Travel expenses for journeys undertaken in the course of volunteering activities
  • Training at induction and ongoing supervision and support from your Engagement Manager
  • Insurance related to the volunteering activities undertaken
  • Role satisfaction, personal development skills and experience.

Two people sat outside on a coffee table with one person pouring a tea pot

Register your interest

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Please note, we cannot currently support visas or volunteers from outside of the UK at this time across our projects.
You are about to register for this opportunity. Volunteering Matters will only use the information you've given us here for your volunteering record. It will be treated as confidential and stored in line with data protection legislation. I confirm that by registering my interest, I agree to the Volunteering Matters terms and conditions.
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