Volunteer Befriender – In-Detention
Beyond Detention
The purpose of the In-Detention Volunteer Befriender role is to visit people held in detention at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre to provide essential emotional support. We ask that volunteers have the capacity to visit each person they are supporting on a weekly basis.
The purpose of the In-Detention Volunteer Befriender role is to visit people held in detention at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre to provide essential emotional support. We ask that volunteers have the capacity to visit each person they are supporting on a weekly basis. Volunteers will be required to complete a visit record log after each visit to update essential information about the person, including their practical and ongoing emotional support needs. Volunteers will keep in touch with the person they are supporting in between visits as and when needed and liaise with the In-Detention Coordinator as required. Volunteers will complete a telephone record log to update essential information about the person after each in-depth support phone call. Volunteers will be expected to support each person for the duration of their detention at YWIRC, this can be approx. 3-9 months, this can be shorter and sometimes longer depending on their legal status. Depending on volunteer capacity, volunteers can support more than one person at a time. In addition, befriending volunteers will be asked to: Attend training and support sessions held quarterly, these are held either online or in person, attendance for at least 3 per year being the minimum requirement Be supported by a Mentor – an experienced befriending volunteer who will support new volunteers for an agreed period of time after initial training Communicate regularly with the In-Detention Coordinator about ongoing support needs, including any safeguarding concerns about service users. Communicate as needed with the Administrator, e.g., to submit volunteer expenses Recruitment and Training All new befriending volunteers will be required to attend - an information session, a training and selection day and a separate interview. Once volunteers join the organisation, they will take part in - initial training, ongoing mentoring including a joint visit with their mentor and ongoing training as needed throughout the year depending on training needs and updates to service provision. Time Commitment Befriending volunteers should have the capacity for 3-4 hours per week, visits in person are around 1 hour, this allows for additional phone contact and travel time. Once assigned to a detainee a befriending volunteer will normally continue making weekly visits until their release or removal. At this point a short break may be appropriate depending on the volunteer. Ongoing mentoring will be provided and discussed on an individual basis, this will be done online, in person or via the telephone depending on the requirements of support needed. Additional annual training is around 8 hours per year depending on the training requirements of the organisations and the individual volunteer. Holiday breaks are unavoidable, and volunteers are asked to make the In-Detention Coordinator aware of these.
Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring
Admin, Basic IT skills - internet & email, Evaluating & Reviewing, Language Skills
Willingness to accept people without being judgemental or seeking to influence them Ability to keep calm when faced with difficult situations, including when listening to traumatic stories or meeting people who may be displaying a wide range of emotions Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding Ability to listen - encouraging others to express their own thoughts and feelings Aware of body language and able to put detainees at ease Emotionally resilient with an understanding of the need for professional boundaries Interested in meeting new people from a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs Willingness to abide by our policies and procedures, in particular respecting a detainee’s right to confidentiality and date protection Willingness to attend our ongoing training programme and other events
Beyond Detention is committed supporting all volunteers through: A clear Role Description and Code of Contact Role specific training – through the induction process and our ongoing training (OGT) programme Ongoing mentoring as new volunteer Ongoing support from the In-Detention Coordinator Regular communication about your role and the activities of the organisation The opportunity to give regular feedback on your role and the wider organisation. Doing our best to help you develop your volunteering role with us, while recognising your need to balance this with work, study, family and/or other commitments Annual recognition of the volunteering you have done for Beyond Detention, plus references for work, study or other volunteering if required Honouring the time commitment, you have agreed to give and not putting pressure on you to commit more Treating all volunteers fairly and in accordance with our Policies and Procedures Trying to resolve fairly any issues or difficulties you may have whilst you volunteer with us before they become problems, in line with our Policies and Procedures Promptly reimbursing agreed out-of-pocket expenses following procedures set out in our Volunteer Expenses Policy Providing adequate insurance to cover your volunteering within the scope of your Role Description or any additional tasks approved by us Additional benefits of being a Volunteer Befriender may include: Knowledge that visits by befriending volunteers mean a great deal to detainees, reducing their isolation and giving them something to look forward to. Resulting knowledge, skills, and experience. Being part of the Beyond Detention team with regular opportunities to meet in person and online
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MK40 2AA
43 Bromham Road Bedford
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