Bird Feeding Befriender

Feed the Birds is befriending scheme run by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Volunteers are matched with prospective clients who are assessed as lonely or socially isolated. The role entails a weekly visit at fixed, agreed times for an hour. The clients will be provided with feeders and food and the volunteer’s role is to visit and help fill the feeders, chat with the client about what they have seen and make some brief notes about their observations. 

Training is provided in giving an overview of the project and to cover safety and wellbeing, confidentiality and listening skills.

A growing number of people are socially isolated or at risk of becoming so. Bird feeding can provide great pleasure to those who are housebound and the weekly visit by the Bird Feeding Friend offers regular social contact.

What skills do I need?

Listening / empathic hearing

Interest in birds and bird feeding (bird ID desirable)

Open minded / non judgemental

Dealing with vulnerable people

Commitment to the project

Half day Training is part of the requirement and this includes: Communication and listening skills, boundaries and confidentiality, understanding bereavement, plus practical training in use of bird feeders and bird food, bird ID skills, dementia awareness. We also ask all volunteers to attend a half day Adult Safeguarding Awareness training.

You will be working as part of a friendly team within a large county- based environmental charity.

Location

This opportunity is available Countywide.