Befrienders

Befrienders

Make a difference to the lives of a CRS child

Link to general volunteer form

Befrienders play a key role in Club Rainbow’s Emotional Support Network. Acting as Big Brothers or Big Sisters, you will serve as an additional avenue of communication and support for the child.

Join us if you are

  • aged 21 years and above
  • able to commit for at least 2 years

COMMITMENT SUMMARY

  • Be committed to a minimum face-to-face contact with the Rainbow child once a month. This could be for a meal, an outing or just an opportunity to catch up and chat. Training will be conducted.
  • To bring beneficiary for CRS programmes and activities if parent is unable to make it. However, you should not take over the parents’ responsibility.
  • Befrienders are encouraged to keep in touch with the beneficiary between face-to-face meetings. This could be through emails, SMS, telephone calls and sending cards for special occasions.
  • Refer problems encountered in dealing with your assigned beneficiary or his/her family to Club Rainbow’s Volunteer Coordinator or your Befriender Coordinator.
  • Be involved in the activities and meetings in support of Club Rainbow’s Emotional Support Network.
  • Be willing to take up additional responsibilities within your capacity as assigned by the leader of the Committee.
  • Be able to serve within the commitment period. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, you will have to notify your respective zone Befriender Coordinator at the earliest possible time.

It takes time and effort to develop a meaningful relationship with your assigned child. Being a Befriender requires a considerable commitment on your part. Switching Befrienders often can be very unsettling for children grappling with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties because of their chronic illnesses.

We therefore urge you to consider if you are up to this challenge. Those who have been with this programme will admit that this calling brings many rewards for the Befriender.

Rewards of being a Befriender:

  • To be a respected mentor and confidant for a child with few friends
  • To help the child as he or she grows
  • To be inspired by the enormous strength of character it takes for a child to cope with a chronic illness