Befriending - An Introduction
Voluntary Action South Leicestershire provides the Good Companions Befriending Scheme. This scheme provides volunteers who make regular pre-arranged home visits to offer social contact to people who are isolated and lonely.
Befriending is achieved by recruiting suitable volunteer befrienders and matching them with someone waiting to be befriended. The volunteers are provided with initial training and ongoing support by the Befriending Schemes Project Worker.
Good Companions Befriending Scheme
The Good Companions Befriending Scheme offers regular one-to-one support and friendship to older people 65 years and above who live alone and feel isolated and lonely. Our volunteers give one hour a week to go and visit someone in their own home to relieve their solitude and give them companionship. One hour can really make a difference and provide a visit to look forward to each week.
As the dark evenings get longer please spare a thought for elderly people who live on their own and may be housebound and feel isolated and lonely. There are so many people who sit in their lounge all day, and through no fault of their own, don’t see anyone at all from week to week.
Referrals to the Scheme
If you know someone that you think may benefit from a volunteer befriender visiting them once a week for a social chat you can refer them to the scheme yourself. First of all, check with the person that they are in agreement for you to refer them to the scheme then contact the Befriending Schemes Project Worker, Hilary Dunsmore by:
- Calling into The Settling Rooms, St Mary's Place, Market Harborough. LE16 7DR
- Phoning 01858 439269
- Emailing hdunsmore@vasl.org.uk
Why volunteer as a befriender?
- Volunteer Befrienders are a group of ordinary people who want to make a difference in their community
- Befrienders don’t need any special qualifications or experience, just one or two hours a week to commit themselves to visit someone.
- The day and time of your visits can be flexible.
- If you need to use your car or public transport , then expenses are reimbursed.
- Training and ongoing support is available from the Project Worker.
- Regular Drop-ins and Support Sessions
- Being a volunteer befriender can be very rewarding
How do I volunteer?
If you would like more information about being a volunteer befriender please feel free to contact Hilary Dunsmore, Befriending Schemes Project Worker on 01858 439269 or email hdunsmore@vasl.org.uk
Alternatively pop into the office for an informal chat, you can find us at The Settling Rooms, St Mary’s Place, Market Harborough, LE16 7DR. Hilary is usually in the office on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
Or visit the Do-it website
