One to One Befriending

We match volunteers to older people who are in need of some extra company and friendship through home visits and over the phone

We pride ourselves in matching volunteers to older people based on personality, location, hobbies and interests. We see friendships blossom, but we recognise that to do this takes time. People could wait for a number of weeks to find the right person, so we knew we had to do something to provide a quicker response when people were feeling the intense pain of loneliness. So, we developed Link Express, where we provide immediate friendship over the phone, using trained volunteers just for this particular stage. This also gives us time to effectively signpost on to other services if needed too.

In 2021 we became the proud recipients of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Service statistics

Usually replies in 3 days

73% of referrals accepted

100% of clients report an improvement in wellbeing

Service access criteria: As general guidance, we accept people who are resident in Wokingham Borough; over 60 years old; feel lonely or isolated; unable to independently attend activities for reasons of confidence, mobility and/or mental health. We are UNABLE to accept people who are unable to communicate with others; who have no insight into their own mental health; who are unable to form and maintain friendships due to, perhaps, the mid/late stages or dementia or other complex needs; do not live alone - with the exception of couples with no support or isolated carers - or anyone with a strong social network in place; live in residential care home or nursing homes where group activities take place; who have medical conditions that would make it difficult for an unskilled volunteer to visit them; anyone who has a Personal Care Budget that makes a provision for social inclusion. We are always happy to provide advice regarding local activities and groups of interest.

Categories:

Bereavement support

Mental health

Services for older people

Volunteering

Additional needs catered for:

Vision impairment friendly

Wheelchair accessible

Physical disability friendly

Takes place in the client’s home

Key words - separate with a comma: Telephone befriending, loneliness, volunteering