Stroke Befriending Volunteer

Stroke Befriending Service:
Our stroke befriending service provides peer-to-peer support from a volunteer with lived experience of a stroke. Stroke Befrienders help individuals in their rehabilitation journey, supporting them with preventative health measures, promoting social connection and increasing their confidence and general wellbeing.

Role requirements:
provide support with rehabilitation, help improve general health and wellbeing, increase confidence, promote social connection and signpost to relevant local support and activities
there are three different stroke befriending roles and you can choose from you – you can decide to do one or multiple roles
Role 1: conduct six 1-1 sessions either face-to-face, by telephone or virtually (with the option of additional sessions if deemed required) – one hour per week
Role 2: befriend stroke patients on hospital wards, at the person’s home or in a care home (minimum 1 hour per week)
Role 3: facilitate peer support stroke groups, usually a 1.5-hour session, once a month.

How you benefit:
feel good knowing that you are supporting a stroke survivor’s health journey to improved emotional wellbeing; have a positive impact in helping to reduce the risk of health escalation
increase your own social connection and benefit from sharing experiences
build or refresh important skills in listening, empathy and communication, as well as group facilitation
enjoy activities and outings with your befriender

The stroke befriending role is suited to you if you…
have either had a stroke yourself or have lived experience of stroke with a close friend or relative, or have community stroke-related working experience, or health or social care experience
interested in improving the wellbeing of those recovering from stroke
are friendly, patient and willing to share experiences as well as listen to the befriendee’s story
have good knowledge of relevant community support and suitable activities in your local area