How we support the befriending sector

1st November 2026

In our 2025 Sector Insight Report, our members reported that they were experiencing a significant increase in demand for their befriending services, without a corresponding rise in staffing, volunteer or funding levels to meet this demand. Coupled with economic uncertainty and ever-increasing costs, the report reflected a sector working beyond capacity.

The work of befriending organisations is vital to reducing loneliness, nurturing wellbeing and strengthening bonds in our communities. We estimate that our members support around 21,024 befrienders and 21,888 matches, contributing 1,639,872 volunteer hours of befriending. Without befriending services, thousands more people would experience acute loneliness and isolation.

Befriending Networks exists to support the hardworking teams that make befriending possible. As we explore our 2026 Befriending Week theme of “supporting each other through meaningful connections”, here are some of the ways we support our network and advocate for the sector.

A network of support

With over 275 organisations in the Befriending Networks membership, befriending staff have access to a wealth of professional and lived experience. Particularly for small teams with limited capacity, these connections with other people in the sector can be inspiring, enlightening, nourishing and fun!

We hold regular networking sessions that give befriending staff a space to connect, troubleshoot issues they’re experiencing, share insights and celebrate successes. Peer support is also built into our training, with lots of space for group discussion and reflection in each course.

We encourage you to explore our directory to discover which organisations are working in your area or in similar contexts – a connected sector is a strong sector!

Sharing good practice

As well as our free resources, our members also get access to exclusive resources, including policy and procedure templates, toolkits, Good Practice Guides and the Befriender Training Toolkit.

We are currently working on a revamped version of the Good Practice Guide to Running a Befriending Service to make it more accessible and relevant to today’s issues and needs. Sign up to our mailing list for updates.

Our Quality in Befriending Awards are the standard in good befriending practice. Through an in-depth audit of organisational policies and processes, Award holders can review and reflect on all aspects of their service and ensure they are delivering a quality service.

Practical, research-informed training

Another finding from our Sector Insight Report was that many services are managing more complex needs, particularly as loneliness increases and social support structures are under strain.

Our online training is designed to support befriending staff at any stage in their journey. Whether they are new to their role or looking for a refresher on current best practice, each of our courses has been created with the needs of befriending teams in mind.

Through a range of flexible formats including live online sessions and e-learning, learners can explore various topics to boost their confidence and skills, including:

• Planning and delivering training
• Managing, leading and supporting your team
• Improving volunteer recruitment and retention
• Managing matches and endings
• Developing organisational processes and safeguarding
• Monitoring and evaluating impact
• Supporting others through periods of change, such as bereavement or a dementia diagnosis
• And more

Members receive a 25% discount on all training.

1:1 support

When available resources don’t cover your exact situation, our small but mighty team is here to help. Our membership team supports members with specific questions or issues they have while running their befriending service. With 30 years’ experience supporting befriending organisations with diverse models and needs, we can offer informed support that helps you find the right solution for you.

Members can log in to their dashboard to request 1:1 support via email, video call and telephone.

A voice for the sector

By joining our voices together, we also create a stronger movement to advocate for the importance of befriending and social connection to decision-makers.

At the Scottish Forum on Social Isolation and Loneliness, co-chaired with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, we convene regular meetings of organisations and practitioners actively working to reduce loneliness in Scotland. In 2025, the Forum launched A Manifesto for Social Connection, our call for the Scottish Government to make social isolation and loneliness a public health priority.

We also work in partnership with members and supporters to deliver events that strengthen cross-sectoral working that promotes social connection, such as the Social Isolation and Loneliness in the Highlands Conference in March 2026, delivered with Befrienders Highland.

This culminates in our annual Befriending Week campaign from 1 – 7 November, when organisations come together to share and celebrate the positive impacts of befriending and social connection.

Become a member

If your befriending service would benefit from the support we offer, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more about joining today.