End loneliness in our community - Volunteer as a Befriender, BLACKFRIARS SETTLEMENT

Guardian Jobs; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackfriars Settlement seeks Volunteer Befrienders to support isolated older people through companionship. This relationship-building role, requiring just 1–2 hours weekly, offers personal growth and skills in emotional resilience and communication. Applicants will undergo training and gain valuable experience in relational care.

Benefits

Hands-on experience in relational care

Development of core skills like empathy

Opportunity for personal growth

Reference after 6 months

Qualifications

• A kind, reliable person with time and emotional capacity to give.
• Willingness to engage with people from all walks of life.
• Openness to reflect, grow, and show up with consistency.

Responsibilities

• Visit or call an older person weekly to offer companionship.
• Listen with care, build trust, and bring a sense of joy.
• Encourage interests, wellbeing, and engagement with the community.

Skills

Good listening

Communication

Emotional resilience

Job description

Blackfriars Settlement - Volunteer Befriender

Location: North and Mid Southwark

Time commitment: 1–2 hours per week, minimum 6 months

Blackfriars Settlement is a vibrant community organisation, founded in 1887, working with people across north and mid Southwark. We support children and families, older people, people with mental health issues, and anyone facing isolation or disadvantage.

Through our Positive Ageing service, we’re recruiting Volunteer Befrienders to offer one-to-one social connection to older people who are isolated, housebound or lonely.

This role is ideal for someone who has time to build a consistent, trusting relationship with an older or isolated person. It requires patience, good communication, and emotional resilience. Training and ongoing support are provided.

What you’ll do:

• Visit or call an older person weekly to offer companionship and connection
• Listen with care, build trust, and bring a sense of joy, purpose or ease to their day
• Encourage their interests, wellbeing, and engagement with the wider community
• Provide informal support and gentle encouragement—not advice or problem-solving

What you’ll gain:

• Hands-on experience in relational care—perfect for aspiring social workers, counsellors, or anyone seeking deeper understanding of people
• A chance to develop core skills like active listening, empathy, emotional regulation, and trust-building
• Personal growth, confidence and communication experience that transfers to many personal and professional settings
• A deeper appreciation of life, ageing, and human connection
• A reference after 6months, plus ongoing supervision and reflective support to help you grow

What we’re looking for:

• A kind, reliable person with time and emotional capacity to give
• Good listening and communication skills
• Willingness to engage with people from all walks of life
• Openness to reflect, grow, and show up with consistency

Commitment:

• 1–2 hours per week
• We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to support long-term relationships

This is a meaningful, relational role that asks something of you—and offers something real in return.

To learn more, visit blackfriars-settlement.org.uk.

Apply via the button below.

Charity No. 210558