Definition
Befriending is typically 1 to 1 service which offers supportive and reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated due to reasons such as ill health, disability, age or social disadvantage amongst others.
The PRIMARY aim is to suggest a range of activities which can lead to an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence and potentially reduce the load on other services which people may use inappropriately in their search for social contact.
Befrienders are typically those people who are interested in other people, good listeners, reliable and can commit to a regular time each week. Previous experience is not necessary as its more about who you are than what you’ve done. Befriending provides the chance to give something as a volunteer through your time and commitment and every befriender has stories of what they get back in return.
Being matched with a befriender can provide a positive boost to people’s lives. However, it’s important to remember that the role of a befriender is primarily about social contact and about forming a reliable, trusting relationship. It not about doing practical jobs like driving, shopping, DIY, health and financial advice, although signposting to organisations that can give advice may be appropriate.
In addition, the role is a point of contact who is seen by the service user as a person who they can share ( for example) concerns, worries, life experiences and generally be a consistent caring face to the service user.
WGNS Befriending Service
- The WGNS Befriending service should be aimed at Whetstone residents who have little or no contact with family or friends.
Our Aims:
- A home visit from a friend, knowing that a friend is calling in for a chat gives the client something to look forward to.
- Friendship, volunteer visitor will take time to listen and share life’s ups and downs.
- With encouragement and recommendations, the client maybe encouraged to get out and about to extend their social network.
Volunteers
- All volunteers whether wanting to befriend or volunteer for other tasks must follow the recruitment process.
- Before assigning a volunteer to be a befriender to a service user suitability and any special risks should be assessed.
- Regular reviews of the relationship should be undertaken to assess how the befriending is progressing and whether there are any issues which need to be discussed.
- Befriending should take place in the client’s home and ID should always be worn. Frequency of visits should be discussed at the first visit and agreed by both parties.
- Volunteers must not provide clients with their personal details or phone number unless they agree otherwise. If the volunteer wishes to conduct their befriending via phone calls, we can provide an E sim enabling a separate number to be used solely for volunteering services with WGNS.