Personal Support Mentor Project aims to improve a person’s quality of life through identification of goals and motivation with your coordinator and helping to perform said tasks with the person.

Overall Role:  The PSM’s role is a flexible role where the volunteer has the chance to be a part of a process to aid someone in achieving their goals and improve quality of life, with the coordinator.

Key responsibilities:

• Being available to volunteer for a minimum of one hour a week for a minimum commitment of 6 months.
• Building a sensitive and caring relationship with the person
• Being understanding, non-judgmental, about the person’s situation or circumstances.
• Attending induction training as an essential and participating in ongoing training as appropriate.
• Informing the coordinator of any concerns about the person promptly
• Returning volunteer record sheets, and any travel expenses on a monthly basis
• Attend with a coordinator initial conversations with the person to gain an understanding of their life, past history, condition(s), how it affects them and to agree their priorities to improve their wellbeing.
• Follow up on person’s identified goals.
• Provide regular visits for a set period of time to a person’s home to build their confidence and independence.
• Connect the person to local support and services, encouraging them to make contact and providing assistance, if necessary.

Persons Specifications:

The volunteers for the Personal Support Mentor Scheme should have the following key skills and qualities:

• Be over 18 years old
• Be patient, reliable and able to motivate others
• Ability to listen and communicate with clients, other volunteers and staff
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality
• Ability to share skills, interest or activities with all
• Commitment to sharing information with the coordinator.
• To work with minimum of supervision.

Responsible to:

Coordinator

Previous Experience

No specific previous experience or qualifications are required however the potential volunteer will need to be able to demonstrate:

• flexibility and a co-operative response to team working

• a willingness to learn and ability to follow instructions and guidelines

• literacy and numeracy skills.

The PSM Project is a community based project with Age UK Bradford and District.