Here are some things to consider when volunteering as a Phone Buddy:
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Make regular phone visits to assigned clients
- Engage in meaningful conversations
- Try to find topics that interest both the client
and the volunteer
- If the volunteer recognizes or hears that the
client needs professional help, they will notify a staff member of the organization.
- Being punctual- set a time to phone and follow it
- Keep a record of who was phoned and the length of
the conversation
- Being friendly and respectful
- Respect personal boundaries- don’t ask personal
questions and avoid topics like politics and religion.
THINGS TO KEEP IN
MIND
- You will receive the contact details of the client in need, which include their first name, age bracket, phone number and preferred time for you to call.
- Please remember to respect privacy and confidentiality (nothing that has been spoken can be shared, do not keep notes. Let the clients know.
- If you have any concerns, please report them to the Organization staff
- You won’t be a counsellor, just a friendly buddy to chat with
- Be an active listener and ask questions: ask about their pets, if they enjoy cooking, or if they enjoy gardening. Do they have hobbies?· Ask how they are getting groceries and if they have enough food. If not, please notify the organization.
- · When and how to end a conversation if it is getting too heated: Validate their point of view, ask if they want to continue the conversation, or should we change the topic?
- Validate their feelings.
- What to do if the person is not talking, again: ask if they want to continue the conversation.
- Block individuals if you feel the client is having inappropriate behaviour
- Set your own boundaries
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