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Job summary

Main area
volunteer
Grade
Volunteer
Contract
Voluntary: 12 months
Hours
Part time - 1 hour per week
Job ref
277-7583816-VOL
Employer
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bexleyheath Centre
Town
Bexleyheath
Salary
pa
Closing
14/11/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust logo

Telephone Befriending Volunteer

Volunteer

Job overview

Under the supervision and guidance of the Project Assistant to follow up Oxleas service users with a befriending phone call and feedback to Volunteer coordinator with notes regarding the communication and to raise any concerns if they arise.

 

Main duties of the job

·       Online Befriending training will be provided before the volunteer commences their placement.

·       Other mandatory training as required before commencing the placement

·       The main responsibility of this placement is to provide phone support to service users at home.

·       The project assistant will match you to an appropriate patient and will provide you with their contact details and brief history post discharge.

·       You will introduce yourself to the patient and will agree the frequency and length of the session at the first phone call.

·       Good listening skills and empathetic approach is necessary for this post.

·       To log all calls with discussion details and with weekly updates with the Project assistant.

·       To report any concerns to the Project assistant Volunteer Co-ordinator

·       Work within Oxleas policies, procedures and guidelines (PPG’s) by

·       Ensuring confidentiality is adhered to at all times.

·       Ensuring that actions and behaviour falls within the equal opportunities policy.

·       Your own experience of mental health or having accessed services would be desirable.

·       If for some reason you are no longer able to continue you will need to let the project assistant know at the earliest.

·       All phones must be returned to the Trust at the end of the placement

Working for our organisation

Terms and Conditions

The post holder is subject to the terms and conditions of OXLEAS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST.  This Job description gives an outline of the post and is subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

Confidentiality

The Post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff, and other health service business in accordance with Trust Policy.

Safeguarding

It is the responsibility of all staff to safeguard and protect children and adults at risk at all times and staff must report any concerns as per Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults polices, which are available on the Trust’s intranet. Every member of staff must undertake regular mandatory safeguarding training at a level relevant to the role.

 

 

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The main responsibility of this placement is to provide phone support to service users at home.

You will introduce yourself to the patient and will agree the frequency and length of the session at the first phone call.

Person specification

Provide phone support to service users at home

Essential criteria
  • Good communication skills over the telephone

Good listening skills and empathetic approach is necessary for this post

Essential criteria
  • Provide good listening skills and offer support when needed

Log all calls with discussion details and with weekly updates with the Project assistant.

Essential criteria
  • Good organisation skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high volume of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Leanne Leakey
Job title
Telephone Befriender Project Co-ordinator
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0208 301 3459
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