Befriending
Befriending Service
We recognise the value and benefit of regular social interaction and friendship in later life. We offer a free befriending service to lonely or isolated people aged 50 or above living in our community.
Our aim is to provide a carefully matched, volunteer befriender who will normally visit for about an hour a week.
All our volunteer befrienders are carefully chosen and DBS checked.
Our befrienders offer a kind, patient listening ear and may also be able to provide details of other services that may be helpful. Befriending can be an essential link between someone and the outside world.
Each befriender and their “friend” might enjoy a cuppa together or perhaps play a game, do puzzles, swap stories and hopefully enjoy some laughs. We hope this will always be an hour a week to look forward to!
To be considered for the service individuals must be:
- Aged 50 or over living in the Sittingbourne, Teynham, Faversham areas (post codes ME9 / ME10 / ME13)
- We regret we cannot accept referrals for individuals already living in a care home.
Our aim is to assess every referral individually for suitability. We regret that in some circumstances a person's needs may exceed the support available from our service, in these cases we will endeavour to provide information on suitable support.
Whilst we welcome referrals for anyone who meets the above criteria, Priority will be given to clients who:
- Live alone
- Have little or no friends visiting on a regular basis
- Have no family close by
- Do not attend other activities, e.g. day centres, community classes
Referrals to the service can be made by anyone (with the individual’s consent) – e.g. family members, health and social care professionals - Word referral form
Please note that our befrienders are not allowed to become involved in personal care, domestic tasks, administering medication, financial/legal matters or offer formal advice.
If you are interested in having a befriender, would like more information, or you know someone who might benefit from the service, please contact our Befriending Coordinator, Nikki Holt, by telephone, email, post or using our online contact form.
T: 01795 532766
M: 07538 315338