It's nearly Befriending Week and to celebrate this we'll be hosting a befriending event at Central Library on 1st November 2023 from midday to 3pm. All are welcome to drop in and discuss potential volunteering opportunities.
What is befriending?
Befriending is a service that provides friendship to people in need, who may be feeling lonely and isolated. Befriending is unlike ‘counselling’. While volunteer befrienders do require training, schemes and charities match volunteers with those in need who will understand each other from their own experiences.
What are the benefits of being a befriender?
Befriending offers reliable, supportive relationships to people who have been socially isolated for various means, for example due to illness, old age, or coping with bereavement. Through these informal, social relationships, people can find new directions in life and a substantial boost in self-confidence. Befriending can help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness, improve mental and physical health, increase confidence and self-esteem, and enhance quality of life overall.
What type of befriending roles are available?
Befriender volunteers can visit those in need face-to-face to take them on social activities, on a regular basis. Befrienders can also connect to a person by telephone or online, to speak regularly. Befrienders require good listening skills and an understanding of a person’s needs. Befrienders also need to be able the promote positivity and bring energy to conversation, while showing patience and empathy. Befrienders need to be reliable and punctual. They need to be able to provide non-judgemental support, respecting their opinions, and encouraging hope.
