Bench Warmer- Active Listener
(CFS Counselling + Wellbeing, MatureMinds, Barrie - Anne St S)
Opportunity Details: Bench Warmer- Active Listener
Contact | Jenna Wickens, MatureMinds Coordinator, CFS Counselling + Wellbeing; Phone: 705-627-1716 * 705-726-2503 ext 140; Email: jwickens@cfssc.ca |
Duties | Bench Warmers are friendly people who allow others to engage in conversation in either parks or malls. Studies show that loneliness has the same dire consequences on physical health as smoking a pack a day! Social connection is so needed (and often lost in the shuffle of busyness and technology) and MatureMinds Friendship Bench offers an opportunity for interaction and social engagement. The implementation is simple but the results are deep and meaningful. Volunteers will receive training in active listening, self care, mental health awareness, and ageism. After successfully completing the training, volunteers become Bench Warmers. They sit on a bench either at a park or in a mall with a sign that says "If you want to talk, I want to listen." Be part of the cure for the loneliness epidemic! Become a Bench Warmer. |
Benefits | Social connection, helping others, skill development, interaction with different cultures and various people, volunteer support. |
Ages | 125 year(s) and under |
Areas of Interest | Community / Neighbourhood Volunteering ; Community Outreach ; Friend / Penpal ; Social Interaction |
Skills/Experience | Communication & Interpersonal Skills ; Confidentiality ; Dependability & Trustworthiness ; Friendly & Outgoing ; Listening Skills ; Patience ; Positive / Cheerful Demeanor |
Commitment Length | Short Term (3 months or less) |
Interaction Level | One-on-one ; Small Group |
Minimum Hours | 2 / Week |
Seasons | Summer - Outside on park benches ; Winter - Inside on a mall bench |
Location | Barrie, Orillia, Bradford |
Number of Positions | Barrie ; Simcoe County 12 individual(s) needed in total. |
Training | Orientation ; Training is provided |
Cost | Free |
Police Check | Required |
Additional Requirements | Volunteer application, references |
Liability Insurance | Available |
Community Sets | Barrie ; South Simcoe ; VC - North Simcoe ; VC - Orillia & Area ; VC - Simcoe County ; VC - Simcoe, Muskoka, Parry Sound District, Bruce, Grey, Peterborough & Northumberland |
Agency Details: CFS Counselling + Wellbeing, MatureMinds, Barrie - Anne St S
Office Phone | 705-726-2503 |
Toll Free Phone | 1-888-726-2503 |
Fax | 705-726-2570 |
info@cfssc.ca | |
Website | cfssc.ca/ |
Address & Map | 20 Anne St S Barrie, ON Canada L4N 2C6 |