Become a Volunteer Buddy

HAVCO are looking for caring and capable volunteers to become Buddies on their Supported Volunteering Project. If you have time to spare and want to make a difference in the community, this could be the perfect opportunity.

What is the project?
The Supported Volunteering Project is dedicated to helping people who want become volunteers, but might need some extra help to overcome barriers and get started.

People supported by the project include disabled residents, those with learning difficulties, mental health service users, ex-offenders, refugees, substance mis-users and those who are long term unemployed.

HAVCO help by finding roles that suit the volunteer's needs, supporting them through the application process, being there on their first day and keeping in touch throughout the placement to give ongoing encouragement.

How can I help?
They need Volunteer Buddies to help give one to one support to the vulnerable adults they work with. The support needed is likely to differ with each person you are matched with and could be short or longer term depending on their needs. Some examples are:

• Helping a volunteer to prepare for a placement interview, building up their confidence
• Accompanying a volunteer to their placement on the first day to help them settle in
• Travelling on public transport with a volunteer to help them get to new places
• Attending a placement each week with a volunteer to work alongside them and enable them to carry out their tasks

If you are a reliable and caring friendly face who could put people at their ease and empower them to become active in their community, HAVCO would love to hear from you.

Contact Phil or Joanne on 020 8880 4086 for an informal chat or to request an application pack.

The full role description can be downloaded here [pdf]

All Volunteer Buddies will receive full training from HAVCO and out of pocket expenses will be paid.

As this project involves working with vulnerable adults, you will be asked to undergo a CRB check. Please note that a criminal record does NOT automatically bar you from volunteering.