Befrienders are matched with an older person in the community. They visit them or call them on a regular basis to provide companionship. All volunteers are interviewed and references are obtained. A Disclosure and Barring Service check is also made before a volunteer can participate in befriending.
Our volunteer befrienders are not specially trained (except to be good listeners) and provide a friendly ear and companionship to our clients. They are not able to provide personal care or other help or duties. We are therefore unlikely to be able to befriend someone:
With significant mental health issues (unless they are being successfully managed, the person is aware of them and is stable). This would not generally include people suffering from anxiety and/or depression;
Where the person has dementia (other than the very early stages)
Where the person has medical conditions which would make it difficult for a volunteer to visit them although telephone befriending may be possible
Who cannot maintain appropriate boundaries in conversation with the volunteer ;
Who is unable to communicate with others.
please use this link to submit a referral form
https://forms.volunteero.org/view/9e497393-06d9-4bfe-b168-133d1ee26bb0