Befriending Week News
Thank you for an incredible Befriending Week 2025!
Befriending Week has come to a close for 2025 and we want to thank every single person who took part…. Read more
“I get as much out of our friendship as Kevin does.” / The Befriending Scheme
Listen The Befriending Scheme provides friendship and learning opportunities for vulnerable people over 16 years old across Suffolk, including those… Read more
Guest Blog: Keep hearing loss in mind this Befriending Week
As Befriending Week 2025 comes to a close, Helen MacIntyre, Research & Development Manager at Neighbourly Lab, highlights some ways… Read more
Chwe mis o Linking Lives Cymru / Six months of Linking Lives Cymru
Ar gyfer yr Wythnos Cyfeillio, mae’r Gweithiwr Datblygu Cyfeillio (Cymru), Matt Youde yn myfyrio ar 6 mis o adeiladu partneriaethau… Read more
“Now I don’t feel my age at all” / Vintage Vibes
Listen Vintage Vibes is an award-winning charity tackling isolation and loneliness in Edinburgh. They create long-lasting one-to-one friendships offering support,… Read more
Guest blog: Building community connections through The Big Lunch
To celebrate Befriending Week, Grainne McCloskey from Eden Project Communities shares stories of connection from The Big Lunch, the UK’s… Read more
Podcast: London Irish Centre’s Quality Award Journey with Caroline Hanks
In this podcast, Sandra chats to Caroline Hanks, Befriending Coordinator at London Irish Centre, which has served the Irish community… Read more
“Let love lead, always” / ALONE
Listen ALONE’s Support & Befriending service supports older people in Ireland to find companionship, solve their everyday problems, and attend… Read more
Neges o ddiolch gan y Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl a Llesiant / Message of thanks from Minister for Mental Health & Well-being
Jump to English Cymraeg Wrth inni nodi Wythnos Cyfeillio 2025, hoffwn ddiolch o galon i Befriending Networks, y sefydliadau sy’n… Read more
New e-learning for volunteers: Creating Social Connections
Our Learning and Development Manager, Victoria, introduces our new e-learning module for volunteer befrienders, launching for Befriending Week 2025. At… Read more
“Befriending is what everybody needs to grow” / Bramber Bakehouse
Listen Bramber Bakehouse is an award-winning charity based in Sussex. They support women who have experienced gender-based violence, abuse, exploitation… Read more
International perspectives on social connection and loneliness
To mark our Befriending Week 2025 theme of Collaboration and Partnerships, our CEO Susan shares how organisations across the world… Read more
“Time flies when you’re having fun… it certainly does for our calls!” / Sightline
Jacqueline tells us about her match with Julie and the joy she gets from their weekly phone calls. Read more
Guest blog: Building strength and belonging through LGBT+ connection
Rainbow Communities supports and empowers vulnerable members of the LGBT+ community. In this blog, they explore the power of connection… Read more
“Something as simple as colouring can bring so much joy” / Bright Futures UK
The story of Melina and her befriender Maddie, whose regular calls provided companionship and consistency while Melina underwent treatment. Read more
Podcast: Collaboration and Community Voice with Rachel Nixseaman
In this podcast, Victoria chats to Rachel Nixseaman, director and co-founder of Deciding Matters, a participatory democracy organisation based in… Read more
“With my befriender, I can just be myself” / Together Co
The story of Steve and his befriender Peter, who bonded over sharing stories and a love of schnauzers. Read more
It’s Befriending Week! 🎉
Befriending Week 2025 is here! From 1 – 7 November, communities across the UK and beyond will be gathering in… Read more
New report: Befriending Sector Insight Report 2025
This summer, we checked in with our members in our annual membership survey. In this blog, our CEO Susan Hunter… Read more
Be part of this year’s Befriending Week celebrations
Our Learning and Development Manager, Victoria, shares some of her favourite Befriending Week memories and the exciting things we’ve got… Read more
It’s 1 month until Befriending Week! Here’s how you can take part
Befriending Week is just around the corner – we can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned! Everyone who takes… Read more
Grab your early bird Annual Conference tickets and get a training voucher
Book your Early Bird ticket to get a £10 discount on training It’s just 100 days until our network gathers… Read more
Thank you for a brilliant Befriending Week!
We’ve been blown away by the incredible contributions to Befriending Week 2024. Befriending services came together to celebrate the people… Read more
Case Study: b:friend
The story of Shane and Sue, who found friendship after losing close family members. Read more
Case Study: Sheffield CCCC
Lyn and Becca bonded over a shared love of Downton Abbey and many other things. Read more
Case Study: Carers Leeds
The Carers Leeds digital inclusion programme has helped a carer to feel more connected and confident. Read more
Case Study: COVEY
Meet Ruaridh, a young carer who got a lot from his experience with the COVEY Connect group. Read more
Case Study: Monifieth Befrienders
This case study demonstrates how volunteering your time with a befriending project can make a real difference in people’s lives. Read more
Case Study: Volunteer Centre Greenwich
The story of Avril, who discovered a new sense of connection through group activities and social gatherings. Read more
Case Study: Befriending Caithness
The story of a match between two avid fishermen whose friendship developed with each visit. Read more
Case Study: Age Cymru Powys
Mae siarad mewn mamiaith yn ffordd bwerus o adeiladu cysylltiadau ar unwaith. Speaking our native language helps build connections. Read more
Case Study: The Link Visiting Scheme
Their case study tells Violet’s story, and how her befriender Sam helped her feel more seen and valued. Read more
Case Study: Ray of Light Cancer Support
Befriending helped lung cancer patient John open up about his struggles and feel less isolated. Read more
Case Study: Epilepsy Action
Hear one person’s story of how befriending helped them find strength as they got to know more about their epilepsy. Read more
Case Study: Mind in Harrogate District
Learn how befriending can help people experiencing mental health issues to feel understood, valued and seen. Read more
Case Study: Together Co
Meet Natasha and Jeanette and hear about their journey to get to know each other. Read more
Case study: Voluntary Support North Surrey
The story of Karen and Joyce and the difference that 1:1 and group befriending can make. Read more
Case Study: Basingstoke NeighbourCare
Bill struggled adapting to a life-altering injury but his befriending match with Jane helped him feel less isolated. Read more
Case Study: Time to Talk Befriending
The story of Mavis and her befriender Anna, who helped Mavis find a sense of connection and companionship after bereavement. Read more
Poetry for Befriending Week
Befriending Week is a time to celebrate and recognise the incredible impact that befriending has on people’s lives. Helen Mason,… Read more
Top tips for planning your Befriending Week event
Befriending Week is a great opportunity to gather people to celebrate. You can reflect on the year, make future plans… Read more
Befriending Networks AGM
We look forward to welcoming members of Befriending Networks to our AGM, which will take place on Thursday 7th November… Read more
Callout: Submit your case study for Befriending Week 2024
As Befriending Week draws closer, we’re asking our members to submit case studies for us to share as part of… Read more
Befriending Week 2024 – Three Months To Go!
We are on the countdown to Befriending Week 2024. Coming soon on our new website will be Befriending Week HQ… Read more