The 'Gift of Friendship' Befriending Programme

Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK West Sussex Brighton and Hove - Head Office's catchment area.

Email: befriending@ageukwsbh.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 019 1310

Our ‘Gift of Friendship’ befriending programme supports older people across West Sussex, Brighton & Hove who feel lonely or socially isolated and help them become more connected.

What is the Gift of Friendship Befriending Programme?

The Gift of Friendship is a befriending programme that offers companionship, confidence-building and support to older people who may be feeling alone or cut off from their community.

When you join, you’ll be matched with a friendly, trained befriender who will take the time to get to know you, understand your needs and help you achieve personal goals - whether that’s getting out and about, reconnecting with old interests, or simply having someone to talk to.

How it works

We understand that everyone’s situation is different. That’s why we offer three types of befriending support, tailored to suit your needs and preferences:

Face-to-face befriending (up to 26 weeks)
Regular visits from a befriender to help you build confidence and work toward personal goals.

Telephone befriending (time-limited)
Friendly phone calls from your befriender for regular support - either as a follow-on from face-to-face visits or as a more suitable starting point.

National telephone befriending
We’ll connect you to Age UK’s national telephone befriending service, offering consistent companionship over the phone.

Our dedicated befriending coordinators will work with you from the beginning to find the right support for you and match you with a befriender who fits your interests and needs.

Why choose befriending?

Loneliness can affect your health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Befriending can help you:
- Feel more confident and connected
- Build new friendships
- Re-engage with your local community

Who can join?

The programme is open to anyone aged 50 and over living in West Sussex, Brighton & Hove who feels lonely or socially isolated.

This programme has been made possible thanks to funding from the Julia Rausing Trust, provided via Age UK National.