Online group Support

Friends Action North East was established in 2004 in Newcastle Upon Tyne.  We are a local charity that supports and champions friendship for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. One of the things that we address in our model of supporting friendship is to reduce the impact that social isolation can have on people’s physical and mental health. Sustainable friendships and community connections can lower the risks associated with loneliness.

Online group support
The role of online group support will help facilitate and support FANE online groups. We would like people to deliver different social sessions e.g. art workshops/quizzes/bake offs etc and other creative ideas/workshops. Volunteers need to be aware of the ground rules of how to support a digital social, including the rules for joining/getting along/respect etc. The role would also involve providing digital and technical support to people around using/setting up Zoom etc as well as the social support.

The group support will help set up online groups and help facilitate conversations between friendship finders and remind them of the ground rules if necessary.  A group support is not a friend or befriender to the person they are supporting but a mentor who will support their friendship finder to make their own friends. You will need to clarify to your friendship finder that you are there to help, support them in finding a friend(s) and maintaining that relationship. As a volunteer you are not allowed to be Facebook friends with friendship finders on your social media.

Responsibilities:

We will make sure that all volunteers are given and read the Covid policy and procedures. We will also have to make a volunteer covid-19 policy and procedure and one for social distancing/PPE as rules are relaxed and also undertake rigorous risk assessments.

Attend online general Friends Action North East training, safeguarding and Health and Safety training

Attend an online safeguarding course with Newcastle City Council

Read Friends Action North East’s policies and procedures

Attend online meets and groups to get to know Friendship Finders

Facilitate FANE online groups with Friendship Finders

Complete a group JOT form each time they attend FANE online groups to say who has attended and if there have been any issues

Attend volunteer reviews online

Carry a FANE mobile and always let FANE staff know where you are going with your Friendship Finder

About Friends Action North East

Friends Action is a Newcastle based charity that helps adults in Newcastle and North Tyneside with learning disabilities to develop, make and maintain friendships.

What skills do I need?

To be able to carry out the following responsibilities

Responsibilities:

We will make sure that all volunteers are given and read the Covid policy and procedures. We will also have to make a volunteer covid-19 policy and procedure and one for social distancing/PPE as rules are relaxed and also undertake rigorous risk assessments.

Attend online general Friends Action North East training, safeguarding and Health and Safety training

Attend an online safeguarding course with Newcastle City Council

Read Friends Action North East’s policies and procedures

Attend online meets and groups to get to know Friendship Finders

Facilitate FANE online groups with Friendship Finders

Complete a group JOT form each time they attend FANE online groups to say who has attended and if there have been any issues

Attend volunteer reviews online

Carry a FANE mobile and always let FANE staff know where you are going with your Friendship Finder

Posted for
Friends Action North East

Register your Interest

Quick Enquiry

Interests

  • Disability
  • Health and Social Care

Activities

  • Computers, IT and Websites
  • Supporting Charities
  • Supporting People and Befriending

Details

  • Accessibility
  • Age restrictions
  • Child Protection Policy (where relevant)
  • DBS check required
  • Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Expenses reimbursed
  • Health and Safety Policy
  • Ongoing support
  • Training provided
    Training requirements: Training: We will make sure that all volunteers are given and read the Covid policy and procedures. We will also have to make a volunteer covid-19 policy and procedure and one for social distancing/PPE as rules are relaxed and also undertake rigorous risk assessments. Attend an online meeting and interview Attend an online FANE induction training including a general induction, safeguarding training and Health and Safety training Attend an online safeguarding course with Newcastle City Council Attend online volunteer supervisions and placement reviews Read Friends Action North East’s policies and procedures Complete a lone worker risk assessment
  • Volunteer induction
  • Volunteer Policy
  • Volunteers covered by insurance
  • Vulnerable Adults Policy (where relevant)
  • Written role description

When can I volunteer?

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning No No No No No No No
Afternoon No No No No No No No
Evening No No No No No No No

Availability Details

Volunteers will volunteer from home in this role. With support and guidance the volunteer will need to be able to work under their own initiative and communicate effectively with the Volunteer Coordinator and the Friends Action North East

Location

This opportunity has no specific location.

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