Telephone Support Volunteer

Good Shepherd Centres; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Good Shepherd Centres seeks volunteers for the Senior Peer Volunteer position, engaging with seniors aged 55+ through weekly phone calls. Volunteers will provide social connection, guidance, and non-professional counseling to help combat loneliness and isolation. This flexible role allows volunteers to call from home and make a positive impact in their community.

Qualifications

• Sensitive to and genuine interest in the needs of others.
• Fluent in French or a second language an asset.

Responsibilities

• Weekly phone calls with seniors who are socially isolated.
• Provide support in areas like bereavement and loneliness.
• Maintain confidentiality of conversations.

Skills

Clear communication skills

Empathy

Interpersonal skills

Good listening skills

Sensitivity to needs

Job description

This is an unpaid volunteer position supporting adults aged 55+ through weekly phone calls. Volunteers provide social connection, guidance, and referrals, while maintaining confidentiality.

OBJECTIVE: to provide support, guidance and non-professional counselling on a one to one basis with clients aged 55 and over.

REPORTS TO: Seniors at Risk Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Sensitive to and genuine interest in the needs of others
• Be able to use a telephone, have clear communication skills (verbal & written)
• Empathetic
• Sincere
• Respect for others
• Patient and good interpersonal skills
• Good listening skills
• Fluent in French or a second language an asset

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Weekly phone calls with seniors who are socially isolated and lonely
• Engaging in social discussions, connecting to resources and make referrals to Seniors at Risk Coordinator when appropriate
• Perform weekly follow-up phone calls as requested by clients
• Maintain timesheet on clients phone calls
• Must maintain confidentiality of the conversations at all times, report any issues of concerns to the Coordinator
• Discuss any client concerns A.S.A.P. with Seniors at Risk Coordinator
• At a volunteer and non-professional level, support clients in the areas of bereavement, loneliness, familial abuse, adjustment to retirement, caregiver burden, crisis, etc.

TIME AND PLACE:

• The Senior Peer Volunteer is required to call clients from home or in the office. The specific day/time are negotiable and flexible depending on the volunteer's schedule.