It’s 1 month until Befriending Week! Here’s how you can take part

1st October 2025

Befriending Week is just around the corner – we can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned! Everyone who takes part makes a huge difference, whether you’re running an event, sharing posts or just talking about befriending in your community. Here are some ways you can get involved, depending on how much time you’ve got to spare.

How you can help if…

You’re short on time

If you’re staring down an endless to-do list but still want to support the campaign, we’ve got you covered. Help us build momentum with these quick wins.

• Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Bluesky and share our Befriending Week posts. We’ll be posting resources, case studies, podcasts and more throughout the campaign.
• Search our directory and find a befriending project you’d like to support by donating, subscribing to their newsletter or following their social channels. You can search based on location or issues you care about. (Members, make sure your listing is updated so your project can really shine!)
• Decorate your office, home or local community space with our Befriending Week decorations. We have paper chains, bunting and posters to help brighten up your space.
• Mention Befriending Week to your friends, family and co-workers and help start conversations about befriending and its positive impact on reducing loneliness and social isolation.
• Sign up for the Befriending Networks newsletter to stay in the loop for news from the befriending sector.

You can give a little extra time

If you’re able to dedicate a little time to the campaign, you can reach new audiences and help get everyone talking about befriending.

• Use our Social Media Guide and example posts to schedule content for your social media channels.
• Connect with other people interested in befriending at a Befriending Week event, such a Being a Befriender or our Annual Conference.
• Write to your local politician to ask them to advocate for befriending and its power to build connections and reduce loneliness.
• Find a befriending project near you and contact them to offer your time to help out during Befriending Week or become a volunteer befriender.
• Take our short interactive mini-course on having meaningful conversations as a befriender.
• Share your experiences on social media or your local paper to help us reach more people who care about friendship, loneliness and connection. Remember to use our hashtags #BefriendingWeek or #WythnosCyfeillio.

You want to do something big for Befriending Week

Is Befriending Week a highlight of your year? Do something special to mark the occasion and share your befriending stories with the world.

• Organise a Befriending Week event to celebrate the hard work of those volunteering and working in befriending projects. Download our Events Pack for activities, decorations, certificates and event ideas.
• Hold a volunteer recruitment campaign to get more befrienders for your project, through online posts or in-person events.
• Publish in-depth blogs, videos or podcasts about befriending and the issues that surround it. This can be a great way to build your profile and share your expertise.
• Contact the local or national press with a Befriending Week press release – feel free to use our template to get started. You could even organise a photo opportunity using costumes, props or signs to draw attention to your story.