Community Befriender

Volunteer Role Description 

Role Title: Community Befriender 

Organisation: Carers Trust Solihull Hours: Flexible Preferred Days: Flexible (including potential evenings, weekends, and school holidays) 

Purpose of the Role 

Community Befrienders are matched with young carers aged 5–25 who wish to access community-based support services or social opportunities but face barriers in getting there due to their caring responsibilities. 

Working closely with a designated support worker, the young carer, and their family (where appropriate), you will help identify, plan, and attend activities such as boxing classes, dance groups, apprenticeship events, and community support sessions. Your role is to escort, encourage, and empower young carers to engage confidently, with the aim of helping them attend independently in the future. 

Key Roles and Responsibilities 

• Build positive, trusting relationships with young carers, families, and the designated support worker. 
• Help research and explore suitable community activities and opportunities with young carers and families. 
• Support families to book places and make necessary arrangements for attendance. 
• Encourage and motivate young carers to take part in chosen activities and overcome any barriers to participation. 
• Escort young carers to and from activities safely, helping them develop confidence to attend independently over time. 
• Maintain regular communication with your designated worker, families, and Carers Trust Solihull staff. 
• Complete relevant paperwork, attendance logs, and brief evaluations following activities. 
• Uphold confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional conduct in line with Carers Trust Solihull policies. 
• Be flexible and adaptable to changes (e.g. cancellations or family emergencies). 
• Be willing to travel across the borough using your own vehicle, an organisational vehicle, or public transport. 
• Demonstrate passion and commitment for achieving a high-quality service for young carers. 
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks as discussed and agreed with your line manager or coordinator. 

Preferred Skills and Qualifications 

• Experience of working with children and young people. 
• Confidence in engaging with the public, families, and young carers. 
• Understanding of child safeguarding and personal safety in the community. 
• Ability to follow policies, procedures, and appropriate conduct guidelines. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 
• Flexible, reliable, and committed to agreed hours and responsibilities. 
• Adaptability to changing circumstances (e.g. rescheduled sessions or transport changes). 

What You Will Gain 

• Meaningful impact: The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young carers, helping them grow in confidence and independence. 
• Personal fulfilment: A rewarding experience through supporting young people to access social opportunities they might otherwise miss. 
• Valuable skills: Experience in communication, mentoring, safeguarding, community work, and planning activities. 
• Training and support: Access to relevant induction, safeguarding, and role-specific training, with ongoing guidance from Carers Trust Solihull staff. 
• Community connections: Be part of a compassionate, supportive volunteer network improving lives across the Solihull borough. 
• Development opportunities: Potential to progress into other volunteer or paid roles within Carers Trust Solihull. 
• Recognition: Regular volunteer celebration events and references provided upon request for future opportunities. 

Additional Notes / Special Requirements 

• This role requires good and timely communication with Carers Trust Solihull staff and families. 
• A consistent commitment to agreed hours is essential, as young carers depend on reliable support to benefit fully from this project. 
• An enhanced DBS check and reference verification will be required before commencing the role.