Blesma members (or suitable partner/family member) needed as Welfare Volunteers for the Wales and West area, specifically for the following:

Shropshire, Wrexham, Shrewsbury, West Wales and North Wales.

The Welfare Volunteer role is an important one that provides vital support to the Blesma Support Officer (BSO) by being the “eyes and ears” of the Blesma Welfare service. We know that an increasing number of Members are becoming isolated and lonely and the work of the Welfare volunteer (previously known as ‘Welfare Reps’) plays an essential role in helping them to maintain their wellbeing and independence. The role isn’t to give direct advice, either of a professional or personal nature, because the Blesma Welfare Volunteer role does not include training or insurance for any advice-giving, even if a volunteer is qualified or expert on subjects such as the law, welfare benefits or health conditions. Rather, the role is to listen and to chat and to refer any concerns raised by the Members to the BSO such as deteriorating health.

People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Regardless of the motivation, what unites them all is that they find it both challenging and rewarding.

Please contact Tom Hall (BSO Wales and West) for more Information.

bsowest@blesma.org

020 8548 7098

07780165085