RNID - Home-Based Deaf Befriender in Northern Ireland

Help enhance the quality of life for older deaf people in the community and residential homes in Northern Ireland by reducing social isolation in your area.

• Where? Weekly or fortnightly contact with service user by video call
• When? Home-based in Northern Ireland

You need to live in Northern Ireland and be 18 or older for this role.

What you’ll be doing

As a home-based deaf befriender in Northern Ireland you will:

• spend time on a regular basis with older deaf people in the community via video call
• provide friendship, support and other activities on a 1:1 basis
• What you need
• It would be good if you:
• are sensitive and empathetic towards other people
• have a positive attitude
• are open-minded and non-judgemental
• can listen actively
• are friendly, reliable, trustworthy and honest
• are aware of issues affecting deaf people
• are committed to the wellbeing of others especially the older community
• know BSL to at least Level 2
• have access to a computer, laptop or tablet at home for video calls
• are confident using video call software such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp

What you’ll get in return

As a volunteer you will:

• have the satisfaction of helping older deaf people in your community
• get regular one-to-one support from our deaf befriending officer
• receive training and learn new skills
• meet people from different backgrounds
• build new friendships with other Action on Hearing Loss volunteers
• have the opportunity to try other volunteering roles within Action on Hearing Loss
• have all expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering reimbursed, according to the Action on Hearing Loss expenses policy

To learn more & to apply for the role, click this link.