Telefriend

Main Responsibilities

Vision Norfolk has been offering a Telefriends service since April 1998.The aim of the Telefriends service is to:

• Provide weekly telephone social contact for visually impaired people in Norfolk.
• Help alleviate isolation by weekly phone calls, based on general chat and light befriending. 
• Provide empathy and understanding of the clients’ sight loss. Have an awareness of how this affects their daily lives.
• Provide a friendly “listening ear”.
• Commit to a weekly phone call for a set day and amount of time each week based at a Vision Norfolk office, either in Norwich, Great Yarmouth or Kings Lynn or alternatively from home.
• Take part in team meetings several times a year, to receive updates on the service and news from within Vision Norfolk.

General Responsibilities

• Telephone the Leisure Coordinator as soon as possible if unable to fulfil your commitment so that replacement cover is arranged. 
• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times. 
• Adhere to the Vision Norfolk volunteer policies and procedures
• All we ask from our volunteers is that you are kind and courteous when you are representing Vision Norfolk.

Skills/Experience Needed

We are looking for friendly, chatty, empathetic volunteers who enjoy talking to people on the telephone and will listen to our clients talk about their everyday life and sight loss experiences.

Benefits of Volunteering

Becoming a Telefriend gives you the chance to work with a variety of different people from different walks of life and is an opportunity to make a difference and support your local community. Vision Norfolk also offers:

• Visual Awareness Training
• Regular, ongoing advice and support
• Payment of out of pocket expenses agreed in advance