Befriending
- Location: Age UK Wakefield District
- Price: Free
Email: befriending@ageukwd.org.uk
Telephone: 01977 664864
Supporting isolated older people across the Wakefield District Our Befriending Service provides Volunteer Befrienders to isolated, lonely older people throughout the Wakefield District. The service is designed to reduce loneliness and social isolation, offering friendship and regular contact — either in person or over the phone.
We now offer three types of befriending, so individuals can choose the kind of support that best suits their needs:
By Your Side Support - 6-Month Goal-Based Befriending - Helping you reconnect and move forward
Our short-term option for people who would benefit from support over a defined period. This service is focused on building confidence, working towards personal goals, building social connections or transitioning through a period of change or recovery. Offering a combination of visits and outings to attend groups, clubs, activities and places of interest, typically lasting around 1-2 hours each week, for up to 6 months
Ongoing Befriending - Classic home based befriending offering regular contact in the home
Our classic longer-term option for those who may need continued support and companionship. This service provides regular weekly ongoing visits of around 1 hour per week from a volunteer, offering a stable and friendly presence to help reduce loneliness over time. Perfect for those that have limited mobility and struggle to leave the home.
Telephone Befriending - Weekly calls offering conversation and friendship
A flexible alternative for those who prefer or require contact by phone. Volunteers offer weekly calls of around 30 minutes to provide conversation, reassurance, and a regular connection — ideal for those with chronic illness during times of contagious outbreaks (e.g.cold/flu season), those who feel more relaxed and open chatting on the telephone rather than in person or for those who are not ready for in-person visits.
What Volunteer Befrienders Offer
· ✅ A listening ear
· ✅ Friendly conversation and companionship
. ✅ The ability to take you to/meet you at activities and groups to meet others and build social connections and confidence (By Your Side Support)
· ✅ Light activities in the home (e.g., puzzles/games, shared interests, letter writing, helping to read the mail or sharing memories)
Please note: Our volunteers do not provide cleaning, personal or nursing care, or handle finances, Befriending is not a Sitting Service.
Who Can Use the Befriending Service?
The service is specifically aimed at older people who:
• Want to change feelings of social isolation on increase connectedness
• Have a desire to build confidence and get out and about more than they currently are
· Live alone and are unable to leave their home
· Have no one available to spend quality time with them
· Those who are caring for someone at home and therefore do not have the opportunity to leave the house to gain social contact
· May be affected by physical health problems or long-term conditions that contribute to their isolation
If this sounds like you or someone you care about, please contact us:
📞 01977 664 864
Could You Be a Befriender?
We are always on the lookout for big hearted, open minded people who are great listeners, to support isolated older people across our district. You don't need formal qualifications or previous experience — just the willingness to offer friendship, a listening ear, and companionship to someone who may not see anyone else all week.
As well as befriending, we offer many other rewarding volunteering opportunities.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wakefielddistrict/get-involved/volunteer/