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Job description

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. **The Bloom Project** is an exciting new service for Barnardo's within Swansea. The aim of the service is to promote, safeguard and enhance the rights of young people in order to assist them to make a successful transition to adulthood and empower them to be heard. To reduce loneliness and anxiety, develop skills, confidence and self-esteem to help young people fulfil their potential. **Barnardo’s Befrienders**, work with young people a 1:1 basis, offering practical assistance and emotional support, to build their self-confidence, coping mechanisms and positive relationships. The work could be focused on a particular need, such as confidence building, or it could be more focused around supporting the young person to access local community groups. As a befriender you will provide support for the young people whilst on their 12-week journey through the life coaching programme. After the young people complete the programme, you will continue to provide ongoing mentorship to the young people and support them in the activity clubs. You will draw from your own life experiences and provide advice through your mentoring role. Befriending is a structured relationship between a befriender and a befriendee that is initiated, supported and monitored by a project. This differs from group helper volunteering role as it focuses on the young person rather than the project. There are many benefits of becoming a volunteer with The Bloom Project and Barnardo’s. Volunteers will be able to earn tempo time credits which can redeemed on a wide range of activities and services across the UK. Volunteers will also be building skills with a chance to gain an Agored Mental Health Peer Mentoring Qualification. Everyone will also gain experience in this career field to progress into employment or to compliment studies that are being carried out. Volunteers will be able to join in on fun activities and take part in activities you've never experienced and can meet new people from a variety of different backgrounds. You will also be entitled to staff discounts. All travel costs will be subsidised for any volunteer activity and staff benefits apply. We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in young people’s lives, with a friendly and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people, empowering them to take steps towards improving their situation and achieving their goals.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.

• Tasks: Building positive relationships with children and young people by meeting with them regularly on a one-to-one basis.
  
  Encouraging children and young people to access resources, groups and activities within their local community, such as after school activities, youth groups, and sports clubs.
  
  Promoting and encouraging service users to make active choices and informed decisions.
  
  Accompanying children and young people to attend meetings or attending on their behalf.
  
  Providing emotional/moral support for children and young people, while maintaining an appropriate volunteer/service user rapport.
  
  Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
  
  Participating fully in training and supervision.
  
  Volunteering within Barnardo's Basis and Values.

• Skills: Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
  
  Approachable and welcoming.
  
  Being passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people and families.
  
  Being non-judgmental and positive in their attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds.
  
  Good listening and communication skills.
  
  The ability to manage and respond positively to challenging situations.

• Benefits: Full induction and training.
  
  Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
  
  Regular supervision and support.
  
  Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
  
  Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
  
  Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.