Befriender (Coleraine/Ballymoney)

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference.

We regularly run group activities in the Voleraine/Ballymoney area and require support to transport young carers to and from these activities, as well as remaining with the group to manage the activity. The volunteer will support the group participants who are aged between 8 and 17 years old, depending on what group is running. These groups generally run during school holidays but may occasionally be held during term time in the evenings.

Barnardo’s Befrienders work with young people a 1:1 basis, offering practical assistance and emotional support, to build their self-confidence, coping mechanisms and positive relationships. The work could be focused on a particular need, such as confidence building, or it could be more focused around supporting the young person to access local community groups.

We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in young people’s lives, with a friendly and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people, empowering them to take steps towards improving their situation and achieving their goals.