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Contents
Big enough to deliver.
Small enough to care.
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Services : Befriending
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Befriending |
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What is Befriending? |
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For many people, friendship, social inclusion, and the
network of support that goes with it, are part of the interpersonal
relationships of everyday life. But not everyone is fortunate in
this way. Age, or physical disability, or both, make it difficult
for some to maintain such relationships.
The befriending service aims to
improve the quality of life for older or physically disabled people.
Volunteer visitors provide friendship and practical support,
offering undivided attention,
with emphasis on listening to the client.
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How does it work? |
Who is it for? |
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People referred to the
scheme are met by the co-ordinator and then
“matched” with a volunteer by
interest, location,
age, and so on. They are then introduced to each other by the co-ordinator.
The
volunteer then visits regularly, usually between once a week and once a month.
The co-ordinator will
check everything is going well on a regular basis.
If
either party is not happy both will be placed back on the list until a more
suitable arrangement can be made.
Note that all volunteers are interviewed and
references checked. A police check is also made before a volunteer joins
our organisation.
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Befriending is for any physically disabled person over
the age of 21,
where companionship and support would improve the quality of their
life:
or:
Someone over 60 years of age, living
alone,
lonely, with little social contact,
and
who finds it difficult to get out of
their home. |
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Guidelines for Volunteers of the Befriending
Scheme |
Become a Volunteer? |
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The essence of the scheme is doing
things together, whether it be talking, going out, playing cards, cooking,
cinema or any other joint activity.
But the volunteer is not the
client's personal assistant. So, for example, going
shopping together is fine but the volunteer shopping
alone on behalf of the
client is not.
For the scheme to achieve its aim,
regular visits are needed, whether they are weekly or monthly. Visits
should not be made on a “one off”,
or “as needed”,
or emergency basis.
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This
service depends upon the support of volunteers.
Can you spare 2-3 hours each month?
We
have many people in the Reading Area hoping to meet a volunteer like
you. You won’t be on your own, we offer all the training, support
and back up you need.
For more information, click on:
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How do I contact the
coordinator? |
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In the Reading area, call |
Helen Finch 0118 959 4242 |
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In the Newbury area, call |
Sheila Craig 0778 643 5122 |
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