Linking Lives Cymru
Delivered by Befriending Networks
Linking Lives Cymru is a new partnership between Befriending Networks and Linking Lives UK. It supports churches and Christian organisations in Wales that are interested in setting up a befriending scheme to tackle loneliness and social isolation in their community.
We’re offering free membership and support for five new befriending services in Wales in 2025/26.
When you join Linking Lives Cymru, you can take advantage of:
- A free joint membership to Befriending Networks and Linking Lives UK for your first year, worth up to £450*
- Use of membership logos of both organisations for promotion
- One dedicated point of contact in the Befriending Development Worker
- A voice for your work to the wider voluntary, faith, and health and social care sectors, funders and government.
If you’re interested, contact Matt, our Befriending Development Worker, to arrange a conversation online or in person on matt@befriending.co.uk
*membership tier varies by charity/company turnover
Befriending Networks Membership Benefits
Befriending Networks is the largest network of befriending services in the world. As a member, you’ll get access to…
- Exclusive resources, including the Befriender Training Toolkit, example policies and good practice guides
- A 25% discount on all training, including courses on matching and endings, safeguarding, dementia and bereavement, and more
- 1:1 support from our membership team when you need it
- Regular networking with befriending coordinators across Wales and the UK to swap notes, get insights and ideas and share challenges
About Linking Lives
Linking Lives supports churches and Christian organisations that are interested in setting up a befriending scheme to tackle loneliness and social isolation in their community. They support church leaders and members in the decision-making and service design process when setting up a befriending scheme. They provide full training for a befriending coordinator (either a volunteer or staff member) and also train volunteer befrienders. Befriending can be seen as an outreach ministry, as well as an act of serving the community.
Linking Lives Partnership Benefits
- Full training for new befriending coordinators
- Monthly online prayer meetings for coordinators
- Additional training for volunteer befrienders
- Befriending resources for churches and Christian organisations
- Bi-monthly networking meetings for coordinators
- Monthly Activity Pack of prompts for volunteer befrienders
Good Conversations Training
Good Conversations is a free 2-hour training session by Linking Lives. It empowers volunteers in community cafes, lunch clubs, food banks or community drop-in centres to be confident engaging with socially isolated people. It is delivered online or in-person to volunteers, church members and the wider community.
What is befriending?
Befriending is a relationship initiated and supported by an organisation, such as a church, charity or local council. Befriending takes many shapes – one-to-one matches, in-person visits, telephone services, group befriending and more. We can help you design the service that works best for your organisation or church. To find out more about befriending, explore the resources on our website, such as: