b:friend
About b:friend
We believe in facilitating meaningful community connection to transform an individual’s value of themselves, reduce their feeling of loneliness and enable them to build resilience in later life. b:friend’s vision is to reduce social isolation for people who are over 65, live on their own and do not have a diagnosis that requires specialist support i.e. dementia.Service Eligibility
- Aged 65 and over
- Living on their own
- Living in a safe and clean home, free of clutter and hazards
- Please note that we are unable to support older neighbours with a health diagnosis that would require specialist care (e.g. those living with dementia, learning disabilities or severe mental health difficulties)
Our social clubs are open to anyone.
Information for Volunteers
This is community support in its most authentic form. Volunteer befrienders pledge to visit a socially isolated older neighbour near them for one hour per week for a cuppa and a chat. On the way back from work, the shops, dropping the kids at school whenever is convenient for both parties, a befriender will spend an hour just chatting, listening and supporting someone that otherwise may have no one. We pair individuals primarily based on locality (South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) and also make connections based on personal interests. Each befriender and older neighbour receive regular support to ensure they’re benefitting from the project. We also offer opportunities for volunteers to provide support at our weekly social clubs or on an ad-hoc basis for representing b:friend at events and conducting telephone check-ins.
Age Groups
Older Adults (65+)Themes
Older PeopleRegions
Country: England
Other Regions: East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Other Information
Type of Befriending: Distance befriending including telephone, video call, letter writing or other means, Face to face befriending which takes place in the home or community
Who can refer: Self Referrals Accepted, Friends & Family Referrals Accepted, Professional Referrals Accepted