VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER: GOLDEN MEMORIES

Saturday 30 January 2027 | Brixton | Recruiting 8–10 volunteers

Be part of Golden Memories

Golden Memories brings older Lambeth residents together for an afternoon and evening of 1950s and 60s music, dancing, conversation and hospitality. We want guests to feel welcome, comfortable and included, particularly those arriving alone. 

That’s where our Volunteer Befrienders come in.

Is this you?

You might recognise yourself in some of these descriptions:

• - You enjoy spending time with older people, including relatives, neighbours or friends.
• - You have tried befriending or volunteering, perhaps with Age UK or similar organisation, or would like to give it a go.
• - You’re friendly, patient, a good listener and happy to start a conversation.
• - You live in Brixton or nearby, which may make an evening finish easier.

These are examples, not requirements. You do not need professional care or befriending experience. What matters most is how you treat people.

What you’ll do

During the event:

• - Welcome guests, chat and listen, introduce people and invite them to join in without pressure.
• - Notice anyone who might need support and tell your Befriender Team Lead.
• - Share brief, respectful observations to help us understand the guest experience.

Helping guests home

We are planning two minibuses to take pre-booked older guests home within Lambeth, with our first departure around 6.30pm and the other around 8.30pm. 

Befrienders will travel with allocated shuttle groups, help guests board and leave the bus within agreed safe limits, and accompany guests to their front doors. You will return to the minibus between stops. Routes and allocations are being arranged; finishing times depend on the journeys.

You will not provide personal care, lift guests, enter their homes or give medical assistance. All escorts will follow our safeguarding and transport procedures.

Your commitment

• - Event: Saturday 30 January 2027
• - Venue: Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall, 364 Brixton Road, London SW9 0TH
• - Guest hours: 2.30–9pm | Venue access for set-up and tear-down: 1–10pm

All Befrienders will arrive together at approximately 1.30pm for a briefing and venue walk-through before guests arrive. Volunteers assigned to the early shuttle are expected to finish around 8pm; those on the late shuttle around 10pm. These are estimated times and will be confirmed once routes are finalised. Please tell us which shift you would prefer and whether you could do either.

Compulsory three-hour induction (attend one proposed session):

• - Saturday 16 January 2027, 11.30am–2.30pm and/or
• - Wednesday 20 January 2027, 6–9pm

Induction location and chosen session to be confirmed and light refreshments will be provided. If available for both, please tell us. Induction covers the guest experience, roles, safeguarding, transport, first aid and emergency arrangements; a Team Handbook will be provided.

Attendance is essential.

What we’ll provide

• - Your Golden Memories Befriender T-shirt
• - A sandwich meal, drinks and snacks
• - Induction and support from your Befriender Team Lead
• - Reasonable public transport costs within London are reimbursed under our Volunteer Expenses Policy, with proof of travel

What to wear

We would like you to wear:

• - Golden Memories Befriender T-shirt (a plain black long-sleeved top may be worn underneath)
• - Black trousers, plain black jeans or a black knee-length skirt
• - Black tights or socks as appropriate
• - Black shoes or plain black trainers
• - No tracksuits, please

When you apply, please tell us

• - A little about yourself, why you’re interested and any experience with older people or welcoming others
• - Whether you prefer the early shuttle (finishing around 8pm) or late shuttle (around 10pm), and whether you could do either. Times are provisional
• - Which induction date(s) you can attend, and that you understand induction is compulsory
• - Whether you are comfortable escorting guests from the shuttle to their front door under our safety procedures
• - Whether you hold a DBS certificate (level, issue date and Update Service membership, if any)
• - Whether you have first aid training or experience (type and date, if applicable). Neither is required
• - Whether you can follow the dress requirements

About We’re Good

We’re Good is a registered Community Interest Company based in Brixton.

We look at the gaps between what exists in a community and what people can actually use, enjoy or feel part of. Then we try to do something practical about them.

Golden Memories is one of our first projects, designed to make it easier for people to take part and feel included.

Interviews

Interviews are planned for December 2026 and January 2027.

Questions? Call 020 3355 3031.

Email [email protected]