The Befriending Service

AIM - The Befriending Service’s main aim is to reach out to vulnerable older people and people with disabilities living in the London Borough of Sutton, relieving their social isolation and increasing their social contact, interaction and stimulation by providing each with a volunteer befriender, who will visit them weekly at their home for approximately an hour, on an on going basis.

BEFRIENDEES - This project targets people who are housebound or have limited contact with the outside world, and offers them company and friendship from a carefully checked and selected volunteer, trained for this purpose. They do not help with domestic work or with services that are available through the Health Authority or Local Council, e.g. hospital transport, personal care or giving medication.

The main criterion is that the service users must have the ability to form a friendship over a period of time. Initially they are sent information so they understand what the project entails, as it is vital for them to fully embrace the possibility of having a volunteer befriender visitor.

BEFRIENDERS – Anyone over the age of 16 can be a befriender if they are able  to develop a relationship and have good listening skills. Once a volunteer has shown an interest in the scheme they are given information about it and invited for an interview with the Befriending Service Co-ordinator.

All potential befriending volunteers are assessed during this initial interview as it includes verbal questions about their motivation and abilities to carry out the role. Also during this time important information is gathered to help with the matching process.

If they are suitable for the role and wish to continue they are given an Induction Pack to work through at their own pace.

Once they have completed the Pack they meet with the Co-ordinator again to cover any queries or uncertainties. Additional one-to-one training is offered at this time on Bereavement and Reminiscence.

All befriending volunteers are required to have two references taken and an acceptable Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure check prior to being matched with a service user.

REFERERS - We receive referrals from many sources, users themselves, family,  friends and neighbours, Care Managers, Occupational Therapists and other projects at the Volunteer Centre. All referrals are dealt with by the Befriending Support Co-ordinator.

ASSESSMENT AND MATCHING

- Once an appropriate referral has been received, the Co-ordinator will make direct contact with each person who has been referred to arrange an initial assessment visit. This not only gains vital background knowledge of the potential service user, but formulates some of the information that is needed to ensure the health and well being of the volunteer visitor. It also helps with the matching process between them and the volunteer.

After the assessment anonymous profiles of the potential service users are written and offered to volunteers, so they can decide in their own time who they might wish to start visiting by choosing one of those individuals described. Once a volunteer has made a decision on which profile they feel happy with, an introductory visit is arranged. The Befriending Services Co-ordinator makes this introduction by escorting the volunteer on their first visit.

Though all the factors about both parties are carefully considered, it is important that each has the opportunity after the introductions to say whether they found the visit a comfortable and positive experience, and if they feel they can get on with one another.

FOLLOW UP - There are follow up procedures in place for all active links,  and there is ongoing support from the Befriending Services Co-ordinator by keeping consistent contact with both individuals.

Further training is available for the volunteer befriender if they wish to take part, such as visual awareness and other disability workshops. Coffee mornings are held to enable befrienders to meet with each other and exchange ideas.