Perinatal Support Befriender – Forth Valley

Purpose and Aims of the role

As a volunteer befriender with our new perinatal support project you will provide emotional support to parents who are suffering with low to moderate mental health issues or are identified as vulnerable to developing mental health issues in the perinatal period. This support may be through telephone calls, home visits, group work or support to access other local services.

What will I be doing?

 Offer mum regular emotional support to reduce social isolation and to help mum be more emotionally available for her baby and other family members  Observe how the mother responds to her baby and offer guidance on how she can better relate to and parent her baby  Help mum take the baby and other children outside of the home so they can access services they need – i.e. health services, shops, parks and children’s centres  Give mum support with issues which concern them, for example by signposting to organisations that can help with benefits and housing.

What skills can I bring to this role?

 Someone who has experienced pregnancy and childbirth, and is able to empathise with the needs of families during the perinatal period Or; Someone who has understanding of mental distress, the emotional effects of pregnancy and birth and the demands of parenthood, and who is able to empathise with the needs of families during the perinatal period  A genuine interest in the well-being of children and families  A few hours to spare each week  Reliability and discretion  Friendly and approachable  Non-judgemental attitude  Good communication and listening skills  Responsible and dependable

What qualities do I need?

 To have a non-judgemental attitude and approach to working with children and families  To be empathetic  To be able to treat all information in a confidential manner  Be friendly, helpful and understanding  Be enthusiastic, flexible, committed and patient.

When will I be needed?

 Befrienders will spend a few hours each week with mum and also attend monthly group activities and attend all Aberlour training  Volunteer Befrienders need to be able to commit to the Perinatal Support Service for 1 year.  Volunteers need to meet with their befriendee once a week, with a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week.  Daytime, Evenings and Weekends.

Location

Forth Valley

What will I gain from the role?

 High quality training  Support from a team of dedicated staff  Make new friends and meet new people  Have FUN!  Attend social events.

What support will I be given?

 Induction and child protection training  Befriending training  Specific perinatal support training  Matching support  Ongoing support and supervision

Additional Information

Due to Health and Safety requirements you must be at least 18 years of age to undertake this volunteering role.

For all roles involving regulated work with children and/or protected adults, Aberlour will require the applicant to submit a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update application. This opportunity is subject to the completion of satisfactory references and successful registration on the PVG Scheme.

Contact details Email address: [email protected]