Become a Compassionate Friend
The Benefits of becoming a Compassionate Friend
Being a Compassionate Friend is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that aids in bringing the people of Hillingdon together in support of one another. It is a great opportunity to make a new friend and feel emotionally connected and rewarded when visiting them.
You will receive training and develop your own understanding of communication, community and compassion.
Our Commitments to You:
- Volunteers will be treated with respect and kindness.
A DBS check is required for all volunteers supporting this programme. - Project volunteers will undertake a training programme before being matched with a project participant. If, following the training programme, a volunteer decides they do not wish to pursue this volunteering role, we will signpost the volunteer to other opportunities within H4All.
- A project volunteer participation agreement will set out the terms of the project and the expectations of the project volunteer, and the expectations the project volunteer can have of the project and their matched project participant.
- To support meaningful reciprocal friendships, we will work with the volunteer to understand what is important to them, their interests, likes and dislikes. An open and honest dialogue, without judgement, will be key to ensuring individuals are matched with the right project participant. This information will only be used for this purpose, and the Compassionate Hillingdon coordinator will only convey information that positively supports the matching process.
- Project volunteers will be able to veto, refuse or change their project participant friend at any time. However, project volunteers will be asked to explain the reasons to help with future matching.
- Project volunteers are not expected to have direct conversations with their project participant friend about ending the friendship. Any changes will be conveyed by the Compassionate Hillingdon Coordinator.
- Project volunteers can raise concerns at any time with the Compassionate Hillingdon Coordinator and will be provided with contact details for the CH Coordinator and the nominated safeguarding lead. All concerns will be acted upon.
- Project volunteers will be encouraged to attend social events, and to mix with the wider Compassionate Hillingdon cohort.
- Project volunteers will be provided with regular supervision, and signposting to appropriate support services within the H4All to support their role as a Compassionate Hillingdon volunteer.
- The premise of this project is reciprocal friendship. However, volunteers will be able to submit expenses where appropriate in line with H4All volunteer policy.