We support vulnerable, elderly and disabled people experiencing profound loneliness and social isolation across the UK. We offer volunteer-led, long-term support programmes including telephone befriending and penpal befriending, all with enhanced welfare support from our paid staff. We help break the cycle of loneliness and improve mental wellbeing, while increasing confidence, independence and resilience. Our support has a significant, measurable impact on our clients’ lives. The befriending relationship builds confidence and resilience in some of the most isolated in society. It can be "a godsend, a real lifeline".
Your £1,000 donation pays for us to recruit, train and offer continuing support to 12 befrienders, who stay with us for an average of two years, often supporting more than one client in this time. Either making weekly calls or writing traditional letters to their matched client, sometimes our befrienders are the only people our clients talk to socially. Safeguarding is vital, and we regularly check both sides of the befriender relationship to ensure the match is a good one.
