And that’s a wrap! Looking back on the Journey Across Befriending Roadshow
2nd July 2025
Anyone who has been involved with a befriending project knows the power of social connection. We’re here to support befriending teams across the world who are helping people experiencing loneliness and isolation – and befriending teams need social connection too!
The Journey Across Befriending Roadshow was designed to give our community a chance to connect and share successes, challenges and ideas. The events were our first in-person networking events since 2020. After years of connecting online, it was an absolute pleasure to meet members and non-members face-to-face.
Thank you to the people who attended.
Superb, friendly, informative, so great to be back meeting people!
– Participant, Glasgow
The Roadshow took place in 6 venues across the UK, with each event hosted with a member co-host. The Befriending Networks team are based in locations across the UK, so we all got a chance to get in on the action!
We want to say a huge thank you to our wonderful co-hosts, who helped us to welcome people, facilitate discussions and keep us stocked up with all the tea and biscuits we needed. You really went above and beyond to support us on this fantastic journey. Thank you to:
- London Irish Centre in London
- MySight York in York
- No. 1 Befriending Agency in Glasgow
- Age Cymru in Cardiff
- Befriend a Child in Aberdeen
- Community Together CIC in Tamworth
We also offered 3 online Roadshow events for those who couldn’t make it in-person.
How we enjoyed your Roadshow. Thank you. It was informative, interesting and a relaxed atmosphere so enabling much networking and exchanging ideas and experiences.
– Participant, London
Download the Travel Guide
You can now download the Journey Across Befriending Travel Guide, which includes:
- Top tips for how to approach different topics in befriending, such as developing your service model or recruiting volunteers
- Resources and training to help you take your next steps
- A Befriending Roadmap to help you navigate running a befriending project, no matter what stage you’re at
Download the plain text version
Download the print-at-home low ink version. Please save paper and only print if necessary.
I enjoy networking and learning from others, some great ideas, I find these events really motivating!
– Participant, Aberdeen
What’s next?
% said they were interested in attending a future event
We’re delighted to announce that the Roadshow will return in 2026! To get the latest updates, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter. If you are a member and have a suitable venue, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch on membership@befriending.co.uk.
In the meantime, you can keep connecting with the network at our online networking events for befriending projects. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
A big thanks to Befriending Networks for hosting the ‘Journey Across Befriending’ event, we were delighted to attend, meet and talk with so many others delivering befriending services .
– Participant, Glasgow
