Befriending Schemes

We operate three befriending schemes that are available nationally. These provide either a home visit, a telephone friendship call or a pen pal.All volunteer befrienders are trained and we also carry out DBS or PVG and reference checks before admitting volunteers on to our schemes.

Friendship by Telephone

This scheme provides a little bit of company and friendly social contact plus it helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and increases motivation and confidence. This regular chat also provides a vital link into the community to those who can be socially isolated because of restricted mobility or lack of accessibility to public transport. Befrienders are able to provide a listening ear and conversation.

Friendship by Home Visit

This scheme matches trained volunteer befrienders to beneficiaries to provide a friendship visit at home. The visits are a social call in the person’s own home; a chat over a cup of tea. Assuming both parties hit it off they they decide on the frequency and regularity of future visits. Most visits last around an hour.
Please note: befrienders are not able to assist with domestic tasks, money or personal care, visits are purely for a social purpose.

Friendship by Letter

Letter writing is still popular with many of our beneficiaries. Our pen-pal scheme matches up a volunteer and service user who can then exchange letters.

How to get involved as a volunteer or to request a visit/call

If you are interested in volunteering or requesting a visit or call for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, then give us a ring or send us an email to request the application forms to start the process.

Call us on 020 8691 7411 or email befriending@csrf.org.uk to request more information and the application forms.

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