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THE
ROLE OF THE OLDER FRIEND
An
Older Friend must be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper limit. A genuine interest in children and a desire to help an
individual child in need is what really matters.
Some
experience in dealing with young people is helpful, for example, working
with scouts, guides or youth clubs, or bringing up a family; any of these
would be useful but not essential. Younger
Older Friends will remember their own childhood quite vividly.
An
Older Friend needs to understand and accept the aims and rules of the
Project; these will be explained at the Briefing and are in the
Guidelines. They need to be willing to devote around 2-3 hours a week to
being a friend to a child, between the ages of 6 and 16, who needs help.
Older Friends are expected to see their Younger Friends once a week
on a regular basis, but it is up to them to decide when that takes place,
and what activities they undertake, though guidance can be offered.
A number of our Friendships have lasted for several years, whilst
others have helped a child just during a difficult period.
A
Briefing will be provided to explain the Project and the role of the Older
Friend. The Older Friend will
receive a written copy of our Guidelines at the Briefing session.
During the Friendship there will be the backing of the Coordinator,
other Project members, and Social Services if required.
In
most cases the Younger Friend is referred to The Project by Social
Services. Care is taken in
matching Older and Younger Friends and this will not proceed unless it is
freely accepted by both, and agreed with the child’s parents or carers.
The Older Friend must discuss with the Social Worker the situation
of the child who is referred, and make sure they are happy with the
proposed Friendship.
Older
Friends may claim any reasonable expenses incurred.
We do not wish them to be out of pocket, but we do expect them to
keep expenses to a modest level.
Undertaking
responsibility for a child is an important step, so we have to be
satisfied as to the suitability of each Older Friend to undertake the
role. Consequently we ask
volunteers to give personal details about themselves on an application
form, and to provide two references.
They must be willing to attend the Briefing session and to meet
legal requirements, to allow us to undertake Criminal Records Bureau and
Social Services checks. These
checks are completely confidential.
The
whole emphasis is for the Older Friend to give friendship to a child in
need. The relationship is
‘social’ rather than ‘professional’.
We do not expect Older Friends to become involved in serious
problems. Should these arise then they must become the responsibility
of the professional social workers.
The
aim of the Project is to give a friend
remembering at all times ‘the
welfare of the child is paramount’.
If after reading the
various pages on this web site you would like to become an Older Friend
click here. |
