befriending sERVICES
(above: Doreen (left) who receives regular visits from Julie)
(above: Jenny (right) receives regular visits from Gillian)
Supported by the Civil Service Insurance Society Charity Fund, the National Visitors Network (NVN) is our home befriending service and one of our major volunteering initiatives.
It offers companionship to any CSRF beneficiary (retired civil servant, partner or dependant) by way of a home visit.
The service launched in March 2013 and is now available throughout the country and has provided nearly 5,000 home visits since it started.
Tackling a national issue
Age UK figures on the subject of loneliness show that half of all people aged 75 and over live alone, and 1 in 10 people aged 65 or over say they always or often feel lonely; that’s just over a million people. Shockingly, half of all the older people they surveyed consider the television their main form of company.
So if you are interested in registering to receive a visit OR volunteer as a Visitor then click the relevant menu option above to find out more or give us a call on 020 8469 9195 or email: befriending@csrf.org.uk (all enquiries are treated in confidence)
“I have two delightful ladies who I visit. The scheme is so worthwhile as these dear souls have very little quality of life but are so pleased to receive a visit."
Heather L, Visitor
“My buddy makes me feel in touch with the world again”
Louise C, Call recipient
“I now consider my call recipient a real friend.”
Dorothy D, Phone Buddy
“My visit was exactly what I needed to stop feeling lonely.”
Hana, Beneficiary
“The service I received from Fellowship Office throughout the process was polite and very efficient.”
Martin, Visitor