Part-time BeFriend Service Worker (Dementia and Volunteers) Fixed-term to May 2027
At Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) it’s our people that make us special as a values-led community-based housing association. BHA’s successful befriending service, BeFriend operates across Berwickshire and the Kelso area, providing informal companionship to people over 65 who are living in their own homes and are isolated or lonely.
As a BeFriend Service Worker, you will work within the befriending service, providing a first class befriending service to people over the age of 65 living in Berwickshire and Kelso. Reporting to the BeFriend Co-ordinator, you will assess older people in the community, who are living with dementia and are isolated, to provide BHA’s befriending service. In conjunction with the coordinator you will lead on managing, training, and expanding the team of volunteers who provide one to one befriending.
You will assess befriendees who are living with dementia and match them with a befriender, referring them to our community befriending service, or to external services which might be able to help.
You should be enthusiastic about promoting BeFriend in the community and be able to speak confidently about BHA/BeFriend and what they have to offer.
You are someone who enjoys helping your colleagues out when needed, with the services that BeFriend has to offer.Training can be provided.
This role is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. 
We operate an agile working model, which means you can be flexible with your working patterns and location i.e. between your home, our offices in Duns, and other hubs, as appropriate.
Inspire Together – Collaboration, kindness, emotional intelligence, teamwork.
- Processing referrals and conducting risk assessments.
- Maintaining accurate records and databases.
- Preparing reports and KPIs to deadlines.
- Ensuring money handling procedures and documentation are correct.
- Managing communications.
- Working within policies such as GDPR, Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety.
Embrace Change – Supporting and embedding change, flexibility, continuous improvement and best practice.
- Developing and improving volunteer training programmes.
- Leading dementia awareness development across the service.
- Generating new ideas and ways of working to improve the service.
- Supporting service development with the Co-ordinator.
- Participating in training and organisational development.
Learn & Grow – Willingness to learn, supporting others’ development and wellbeing.
- Leading development and delivery of volunteer training.
- Supporting volunteers to reach consistent standards.
- Developing dementia awareness among volunteers.
- Participating in meetings and training.
- Supporting volunteer growth and confidence.
Inspire Together – Collaboration, kindness, emotional intelligence, teamwork.
- Working closely with volunteers and befriendees.
- Collaboration with internal teams.
- Partnership with external organisations.
- Planning and facilitating community befriending sessions.
- Supporting volunteers and maintaining relationships.
Person Specification
Essential
- At least 6 months relevant experience of working with volunteers either in a paid or voluntary capacity.
- At least 1-year relevant experience of working or volunteering with older people who are living dementia.
- Experience of development and delivery of training resources for both groups and individuals.
- Hold a valid driving licence and be able to provide own transport.
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to diversity and equality.
- Sound administration skills, including good working knowledge of MS office and with proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Able to promote the befriending service in the community and confident when networking with other organisations.
- Experience of working to deadlines and meeting targets.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable
- Experience of working or volunteering with statutory services.
- Experience of driving a minibus or willing to undertake relevant training to drive a minibus.
- Experience of risk assessment procedures – assessing risk and developing risk assessments.
- Local knowledge and networks.
What we offer:
- A defined contribution pension scheme with an employer contribution up to a maximum of 9%
- Westfield Health Care Plan
- Westfield Rewards
- Agile working
- Employer Supported Volunteering
How to Apply:
You must complete an application form to be considered for any of our vacancies, we do not accept CVs.
We are looking for you to evidence and demonstrate within the personal statement section of the application how your own personal and professional values align with BHA’s values, and how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you have any difficulties applying for the vacancy on our website then please call 0800 652 8104 and request a call back from Lynne Bryce, People & Culture Lead.
Closing date: Friday 24th April 2026 at 12 noon.
Interview date: Tuesday 5th May 2026.
Want to learn more? For an informal chat, call 0800 652 8104 and ask for a call back from Kerry Hague, BeFriend Co-ordinator.
Please download and read the following documents before applying:
BHA Recruitment Pack BeFriend Vol Coordinator
BeFriend Service Worker – Employment Information