WHAT IS BEFRIENDING
Southern Befrienders provides one-to-one companionship to older people who would like extra social contact through a weekly volunteer visit or telephone call.
The service aims to alleviate the negative impact of loneliness on mental, emotional, and physical health, and enable older people to live independently in their own home for as long as possible. Volunteers are vetted and trained by professional staff. If the older person’s needs change, the Scheme Coordinator will discuss this with him/her and adapt the service provided appropriately.
WHO IS THE BEFRIENDING SERVICE FOR?
For anyone who is over 60 and has limited social contact or feels particularly isolated and lonely.
What support do volunteer befrienders provide?
- One-to-one companionship by visiting or phoning at least once a week.
- Provide limited practical support where necessary and appropriate.
- Volunteers cannot provide home help or personal care.
- All our volunteers undertake a DBS (police) check and two references and are supported by experienced staff.
What is the referral process and next steps?
- Anyone can make a referral to the service. People can even refer themselves.
- You will find the referral criteria here and the application form here
- Once a referral is accepted by Southern Befrienders, the Scheme Coordinator will phone the older person (now known as a ‘member’) to arrange a home visit
- The service is explained in detail so that the appropriate support can be agreed with the member
- During the visit an assessment is undertaken of the home, to ensure it is a safe environment for volunteer befrienders to visit
- When a suitable volunteer becomes available the member and volunteer will be introduced by the Scheme Coordinator
- Once the member and the volunteer are happy with the match, they will arrange future visiting times between themselves.
- The Scheme Coordinator keeps in touch with the member and volunteer befriender, to ensure that the visits are progressing well.