PSPA Befriending Volunteer

Life with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)  & Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) can throw up different challenges from time to time.

From fully understanding your diagnosis, to understanding what support is available to your in your area, or planning for any adaptations you might need for your home. It can be a lot to process and difficult to know where you can access help.

Our Befriending Volunteer Service aims to reduce isolation and provide much needed emotional support, as you come to terms with how your life could change, and face different changes and challenges along the way.

• Provide emotional support, companionship and information to families effected by PSP and CBD: rare progressive neurodegenerative brain diseases.
• Signpost to our Helpline for any support needs.
• Visit families in their home, over Zoom and/or over the phone for up to a year, depending on need and circumstance.
• We will match you with someone in your local area and you will make contact every week or fortnight, for about an hour.
• Extensive training provided included: reading PSPA publications and completing workbook, 2 hours Zoom training session, complete a Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and GDPR course
• Quarterly befriending volunteer meetings over Zoom to meet other volunteers and discuss experiences.
• We will take up references and carry out a DBS.
• More info here: https://www.pspassociation.org.uk/information-and-support/just-been-diagnosed/befriending-volunteer-service/
• Expenses paid

You will be Befriending in the home of the person you are supporting locally.

Any day, preferable during Volunteer Coordinators working hours of Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30 though you can arrange your visit outside of these times if necessary.

Skills

• Experience of caring for someone with PSP or CBD is preferable
• Empathetic
• Ability to create conversation and rapport.
• Basic IT skills as will need to submit an online form after each visit.