Latest progress

WRVS

We are working with WRVS to provide the same high standard of service across Dorset. We aim to ensure continuing support and resources for schemes after 2012. WRVS members attended Friends of Practice training for volunteer carers and will work together with Home Library volunteers to provide support and identify vulnerable members of the community.

Volunteer Centre, Dorset

Centre managers, Craig and Marie are promoting all existing and planned volunteering schemes. Outreach workers in each area are involved in recruiting new volunteers for, planning and supporting new and existing schemes. All new schemes are registered on Volunteer Centre database.

Dorchester

We have a new coordinator with us. They are based at the Atrium Health Centre, Dorchester. Referrals to the service are made by email, post or telephone. We are working with Friends in Deed (DFiD) a Christian befriending group, to share volunteer and referral resources, training and support. We now have two volunteers supporting our DFiD clients. Each scheme has training for volunteers and will be open to volunteers from either group.

Portland

We worked with the Partnership for older people’s project (POPP) to find and organise information on groups interested in the befriending scheme. This includes the Methodist Church and Rights Respecting Community team. A new manager was appointed by Island Community Action team to set-up and run befriending project. We are working closely with the team to deliver a volunteer befriending scheme for the island.

Bridport

We have 8 volunteers and referrals are underway. The coordinator is now working independently of us.

Wimborne

We are working with POPP leaders, volunteer outreach workers, practice manager of Walford Mill surgery and health visitors, to establish a befriending scheme in Wimborne and Ferndown. Coordinators are in the recruitment process currently awaiting the criminal records bureau (CRB) checks to be completed. We have 10 volunteers already to provide befriending support.

A local residential home will provide lunch and social events on regular basis to those referred in exchange for volunteers visiting residents occasionally to read, talk and sit with the people in the home.

Clients attending lunches will also have time to meet and make new friends with the residents, providing both sets of people with friendship and support.

We are also speaking with Canford School for inclusion of Sixth Form students in volunteering.

Gillingham

We are working with POPP leaders and practice managers to see if they will continue to be our contact. This is to agree ways of working together to establish a volunteer befriending scheme in the area.

Blandford

We will work with community nurses and community mental health teams (CMHT) to set up befriending scheme for the area. Particular focus will be on supporting mental health patients as service users but also as volunteers. CMHT is helping us promote the scheme.

Future identified projects

• Lyme Regis and Charmouth
• Beaminster
• Weymouth - on hold at present
• Sturminster Newton