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“Befriending is a relationship between a trained volunteer and an isolated or lonely individual (befriendee), which is initiated, supported and monitored by a voluntary or statutory agency”
Definition of befriending
Befriending Networks
BNs today
230 – 250 member services
All client groupsUK-wide
4 members of staff
BNs: our services
Training
Quality Award:
QiB
Direct member support
Regional and thematic “common ground” meetings
Consultancy
Annual conference
BNs: our resources
E-newsletter
Website
Service paperwork templates
Publications and
research
Meeting and
conference notes
Social media hub
BNs: awareness raising and other stuff
Befriending Week
campaign and website
(November)
Health and Loneliness Roadshow
Parliamentary Exhibitions
“Stitch in Time”
WEMWBS research
EMBEP
Cross-party groups and
parliamentary committees
BNs: the future
Develop online / blended learning
materials
Develop accredited national training for
befrienders
Create common set of evaluation
tools for befriending sector
Befriending is … (yes / no / maybe) 1. Just like friendship
2. A way to provide respite for the befriendee’s carer
3. Focused mainly on building a good relationship between the befriender and the befriendee
4. Giving advice to befriendees about lifestyle and behaviour
Befriending and friendship
Befriending involves creating
and maintaining a personal
relationship, so there are obviously
elements of friendship present
in a befriending relationship.
Befriending and friendshipHowever, there are important
differences. Whilst friendly, it is a professional
relationship governed by
boundaries and carried out in line
with the outcomes of the
supervising organisation.
It’s all about the relationshipThe relationship itself is the main
focus of a befriending
relationship. This is why good
communication skills and an
open, empathic attitude are the most important
characteristics of a befriender.
Giving advice
Befrienders and coordinators of
befriending services often provide useful
information about health and
lifestyle to befriendees if
requested.
Giving adviceHowever, this is very different
from giving advice and it is not part of the
befriender’s role to give advice
about any aspect of lifestyle or
behaviour even if they are an expert in that field in their
professional life.
Befriending is … (yes / no / maybe)
5. Focused on supporting the befriendee to reach certain goals6. The key to solving all the befriendee’s problems
7. Giving help with practical tasks and problems
8. About the befriender as much as about the befriendee
Befriending and goalsBefriending is about the
relationship and the quality of the
time spent together. Many personal goals
may be achieved as a result of the
increased confidence and wellbeing which this relationship
brings …
Befriending and goals… and
befrienders can be instrumental
in supporting befriendees to
resolve practical issues, BUT these are
all essentially a by-product of
the relationship itself.
The scope of befriendingBefriending can have a powerful positive impact on the life of an
isolated or lonely person,
but it is important not
to make promises which are either too
wide or too specific to be realistically
fulfilled.
Befriending and the befrienderIt is essential that the
relationship is right for the
befriender too. Coordinators need to check
in regularly with
befrienders to make sure
they’re happy with how things
are going.
Befriending is … (yes / no / maybe) 9. An informal way of providing counselling or therapy10. Providing a relationship that others in the client’s life can not11. Something a befriendee can turn to in an emergency12. Something which essentially only involves two people – the befriender and the befriendee
Befriending is uniqueBefriending services work
with people who lack meaningful informal social relationships. The essential support they
provide is usually not available to
befriendees in any other form.
Not an emergency serviceBefriending is a long-term,
preventative intervention.
Though befrienders need to be
trained on how to respond should an
emergency arise while they
are with their befriender ….
Not an emergency service
… organisations must make it clear to befriendees and
befrienders alike that befrienders are not there to be called
upon I an emergency.
Models of befriending delivery
Face-to-face:1:1Groups
Distance:TelephoneEmail / letter
Intergenerational Projects:Residential settingBefrienders in groups
Partnership deliveryShared resourcesShared recruitment and referral pathways
Delivery models
The benefits of befriending
Increased confidence and self-esteem
Increased involvement with communities
More able to manage challenges of everyday life
The benefits of befriendingMore cohesive and integrated communities communities
Less pressure on health and social care services
Reductions in rates of crime, homelessness, substance abuse and suicide
The benefits of intergenerational befriendingGreater communication and understanding between young and old
Befrienders learn skills from past they have no other way of learning about. They impart ‘modern’ skills which will be useful to the befriendee
Befriendees enjoy knowing that their skills and knowledge are appreciated. They gain practical knowledge of new skills
Setting up a befriending service
One full-time coordinator
If no other responsibilities, optimum 30 matches
If other responsibilities, optimum 15 – 20 matches
The coordinator’s role
To recruit, select, train and support befrienders
To secure referrals to the service
To match up befrienders and befriendees and to oversee the relationship
Funding: some key considerations
• A budget of at least £40,000 per year to support a full-time coordinator
• At least three years’ funding recommended
• Outcomes must be compatible with long-term befriending relationships
Discussion questions What might be the benefits to your client group of developing an
befriending service?
What do you think would be the main challenges facing your organisation in developing a befriending service? What resources would you need to overcome them?
What three actions could you take in the next month towards the development of a befriending service?
Increasing befriending provision for older people in Edinburgh
www.befriending.co.uk