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 pr