Face-to-face Befriender

Are you a good listener with a few hours to spare each week? Would you like to make a meaningful difference to someone’s life?

As a face-to-face befriender with our Enabling Connections project, you’ll help a local person aged 50+ regain their confidence and independence by providing encouragement, companionship and practical support.

Taking a person-centred approach, you'll help them identify a meaningful goal and support them to take positive steps towards achieving it. By providing encouragement, practical assistance and companionship, you'll help reduce social isolation and enable them to build confidence, resilience and stronger connections within their community.

How it will work

• Set a goal: Meet with the person you’re supporting to identify something they’d like to achieve. For example, attending local groups, using public transport more independently, building confidence to go shopping, or staying connected through technology.
• Make a plan: Work together to break their goal into smaller, realistic steps and agree a focus for each week.
• Provide encouragement: Support them to try new activities, attend local groups or access services, helping them build confidence.
• Celebrate success: Recognise and encourage progress, no matter how small, helping them see how far they’ve come.
• Support independence: Help them take more ownership as their confidence grows, so they’re ready to continue independently at the end of the 24 weeks.

The difference you’ll make

You will help someone:

• Feel less lonely and more connected to their community
• Build confidence and independence
• Access activities, groups and services that matter to them
• Improve their wellbeing and quality of life
• Develop lasting social connections

Who are we looking for?

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, identities and life experiences, including people from ethnically diverse communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and those with lived experience of loneliness, caring responsibilities or community support. You don’t need previous experience. We’re looking for people who are:

• Good listeners and communicators
• Patient, empathetic and reliable
• Non-judgemental and caring
• Respectful of confidentiality and boundaries
• Interested in helping people connect with their communities

Basic digital skills are helpful, but no previous experience is needed. A DBS check is required.

What we offer

We’re committed to creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive volunteering environment where everyone feels valued and supported. You’ll receive training and ongoing support in these areas: safeguarding, boundaries, communication skills and local signposting.

You’ll have opportunities to develop new skills, gain experience and make a real difference in your community. We also reimburse agreed expenses.