Somerset area - Befrienders for the Royal Air Forces Association

The Royal Air Forces Association (or RAF Association), is a member-led, registered welfare charity that provides welfare support to Serving and Ex-Serving RAF personnel and their families. Much of our work is funded by the generosity of our members, donors and supporters and through vital donations from the public to the Wings Appeal. A significant proportion of our work is undertaken by those who volunteer for the charity. Volunteers provide visits to members of the RAF family to help combat loneliness, provide information on our Wings Breaks Hotels or to help them make financial applications in times of hardship. Volunteers help us fundraise by setting up collections, attending events and raising our profile. Volunteers edit sound effects into stories for young children, read by their parents who are away on deployment and they support us in many tasks throughout our branch network across the world. The Befriender role is at the heart of the RAF Association’s objectives in delivering welfare support to members of the RAF family requiring it. The aim of the Befriender role is to help alleviate isolation and loneliness, by giving time to listen to people either in person or over the phone and to encourage communication on a shared interest or topic, leading to improving and developing enjoyable social networks for the beneficiary or by helping facilitate their involvement in community groups and activities to ensure that they remain part of the community and feel socially connected to the wider family. With the opportunity to directly improve someone’s quality of life and see the difference each contact with that person has on them, this role is something to feel proud of. Other benefits include building self-confidence and improving communication skills with a variety of people, as most people will be in touch with a couple of people during the year. Volunteers should expect to commit to around one hour a week, although this will depend on a case by case basis. We do ask for 6-12 months commitment.