Focus Autumn 2016
Page 40
Befriending Service Available
Befriending can last for a few months or for years. It’s totally
up to the individual both to decide depending on how the
relationship develops.
The group administer referrals, recruit volunteers, CRB check
applicants, match individuals, introduce the clients to the
Befriender and continue to support both the Befriender and
the Client during the relationship in order that it is still
meeting the needs identified.
The Befriending Scheme gives individuals access to more and
varied services within their community. It also offers an
emotional outlet for clients to share thoughts, feelings, and
emotions which might otherwise remain unvoiced, leading to
more positive health and well-being. This promotes greater
inclusion in community life and ensures that they do not
become disenfranchised with the community.
The VOLUNTARY NETWORK are a community group that
offer a befriending service. The service operates in the Forest
Heath and St Edmundsbury areas.
Befrienders offer friendship, support, and form a positive
one-to-one relationship with people who are in some way
isolated and in need of company. This helps to enable people
to maintain independent lifestyles, promotes positive mental
health, and a greater sense of wellbeing preventing increased
isolation.
All Befrienders attend a training programme and once trained
to go to client’s homes regularly with the aim of establishing
and developing an informal and social relationship.
Referrals are received from agencies such as Age UK, Commu-
nity Mental Health Team, GPs, and Occupational Health Work-
ers. Families can also refer a family member to the group.
Within the matching process the service tries to match a Be-
friender with a client who has similar knowledge, interests, or
personality.
http://www.thevoluntarynetwork.org/befriending-service
The VOLUNTARY NETWORK is a
registered charity providing the following
services:
* Community Transport
* Befriending Service – in the
St Edmundsbury area
Their main aims and objectives are:
* To provide and maintain
Community Transport services
* To maintain a Volunteer Centre
* To promote volunteering in the
area and recruit, assess and
place volunteers in voluntary
tasks and to provide continuing
support for them in their
endeavours;
* To support the development
and establishment of any
further projects for which need
is identified.