Free HIV Telephone Befriending

Do you feel isolated or alone after an HIV diagnosis?

Are you looking for someone to talk to who understands what you're going through?

Our HIV telephone befriending service can connect you with a trained volunteer who will provide emotional support, companionship, and information. Our befrienders are understanding and compassionate, and many have personal experience with HIV, either through their own diagnosis or by supporting loved ones affected by HIV.

What is telephone befriending?

Telephone befriending is a confidential service that allows you to connect with a befriender over the phone on a regular basis. Your befriender will be someone who can:

  • Listen to you without judgment
  • Offer support and encouragement
  • Share their own experiences (where relevant)
  • Provide information and resources about HIV
  • Help you to connect with other people living with HIV

How can telephone befriending help you?

Telephone befriending can help you to:

  • Reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness
  • Cope with the emotional challenges of living with HIV
  • Build your confidence and self-esteem
  • Develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety
  • Connect with others who understand what you're going through
  • Access information and resources about HIV
Categories:
Connecting with others
Managing a long-term health condition
Mental health
Service access criteria:

To ensure our services reach those who need them most, we have the following access criteria:

  • HIV Positive Status: This service is available to individuals with an HIV positive diagnosis.
  • Age: Clients must be 18 years or older to access the telephone befriending service.
  • Location: Clients should reside in Staffordshire. (Note: We may be able to offer telephone befriending to those outside this area, depending on circumstances and volunteer availability.)
  • Capacity to Consent: Clients must have the capacity to understand and consent to the befriending service.
  • Emotional Capacity: Clients should be able to engage in a phone conversation and have a basic level of emotional stability to benefit from the service. SSHC also offers counselling services. (Note: If someone is experiencing a significant mental health crisis, we encourage them to seek support from a crisis line or mental health professional. We can provide referrals.)
Additional needs catered for:
Vision impairment friendly
Wheelchair accessible
Takes place in the client’s home
Waiting list (weeks): 1
HIV befriending, telephone support, Staffordshire, emotional support, social connection, reducing isolation, loneliness, HIV support, friendly chat, confidential support, someone to talk to, community support, living with HIV, HIV positive, peer support, empathy.
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