Befriending
Please note this service is currently running with a waiting list. When we receive your referral, we will send you an acknowledgement of receipt. We won’t be able to say how long it will be until we can contact you to arrange an initial assessment, so please be patient. We will be in touch to arrange an assessment as soon as we may be able to offer a befriender.
We offer one to one befriending for people aged 70 and over who feel lonely or isolated and specialised befriending for people with a diagnosis of dementia.
Befrienders Can:
- Spend 1-2 hours per week providing companionship.
- Visit you at home for a chat.
- Visit you at home to play a game or do another activity you might enjoy.
- Go with you to a local cafe for a coffee.
- If your befriender is willing to use their car, go for a short run to for example a local park.
Befrienders Cannot:
- Provide you with support to appointments.
- Assist with homecare tasks, meal preparation or shopping.
- Provide any form of personal care.
- Provide any help or advice with financial matters, banking etc.
- Provide support with medication, including collecting prescriptions.
If you feel you or someone you know would benefit from a befriender, a professional will need to make a referral on your behalf. This will be someone who knows you and provides you with some kind of professional care or support, such as a social worker, GP, or paid care worker. There is more information below about how to access befriending.
Befriending For People Aged 70 Plus
One to one volunteer befriending for people aged 70 and over who identify as feeling lonely or isolated. Volunteers provide companionship for an hour a week which can take place in the home or in the community.
Befriending For People with a Diagnosis of Dementia
One to one volunteer befriending for people with a diagnosis of dementia.