Befriending

Befriending

Befriending is a service available to those who are living in isolation with a life-shortening condition.

There are many people in our community who are not able to live as independently as they would like due to living with a palliative condition.

A volunteer Befriender can offer you companionship through regular visits, emotional and often practical support, and help to re-establish a link to the wider community.

Often, a Befriender will visit you weekly, sometimes more often. They are there to be a friend, so they may sit in with you, chat and have a cup of tea. Or you may decide to go out for a drive, visit a garden centre or share a meal together.

Each Befriending relationship is different, just as each one of us is different. So we match you on your needs and abilities, likes and dislikes, along with practical considerations, such as where you live and how often you would like someone to visit.

Befriending access

How can I access this service?

Access to our Befriending service is by referral, so please speak to your St Luke’s Nurse. Or your referral may come from the Macmillan Community Team or Rehabilitation Team.

For more information please contact Liz Hodgson, our Befriending Co-Ordinator, by calling 01606 555681 or email.

Provide companionship

Developing an emotionally supportive relationship

As a volunteer Befriender you will provide companionship to a person (client) who has a palliative condition. The Befriending relationship provides the client with additional social support by developing an emotionally supportive relationship, helping the client to feel less isolated and more connected to their community. Befriending complements social and domestic support but does not replace it. Befrienders do not provide personal care, Befrienders offer friendship.

Befriender Benefits

The benefits of offering this service

The benefits of offering this service

  • It reduces isolation and offers human contact to people who have a palliative or life-shortening condition
  • It provides them with a link to the community they live inThe friendship offers emotional and practical support to the person living in isolation
  • We have also found it is a wonderful way to make new memories for everyone involved

Becoming a volunteer Befriender offers you some wonderful benefits too:

  • You gain a new friend
  • You may learn a lot from the person you visit which in turn will enrich your life
  • Becoming part of someone else’s life can bring new meaning to yours
  • Seeing the difference your visits make can bring great reward
Become a befriender

Could you be a Befriender?

Application process:

As part of your application, you will be subject to an informal chat and a DBS check. You must also have at least two references.

Once completed, please return your completed application form to: befriending@slhospice.co.uk

To be a Befriender you must be aged over 18 years.

Befrienders can be either face to face or remotely via phone, text or face time. Use of own vehicle to transport patients to appointments or out to lunch, coffee or shopping if appropriate.

For more information on how to become a Befriender please contact our Befriending Co-ordinator, Liz Hodgson on 01606 555681.

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