Age UK Reading
About Age UK Reading
Age UK Reading provides befriending services to the older people of Reading and surrounding areas so as to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
England, RG1 7JS
Service Eligibility
We are therefore unlikely to be able to befriend someone:
With significant mental health issues (unless they are being successfully managed, the person is aware of them and is stable). This would not generally include people suffering from anxiety and/or depression; Where the person has dementia (other than the very early stages)
Where the person has medical conditions which would make it difficult for a volunteer to visit them although telephone befriending may be possible
Who cannot maintain appropriate boundaries in conversation with the volunteer ; Who is unable to communicate with others.
Information for Volunteers
To help improve the quality of life for older people who live in the Reading area by providing friendship and support as part of the Age UK Reading Befriending Scheme. Many older people experience chronic loneliness in later life and as a result experience a decline in wellbeing and associated health impacts. Age UK’s Befriending service is there to offer human contact, warmth, and access to a support network for these people. People wishing to join the service (clients) are contacted by the co-ordinator and matched with a volunteer. There are 2 types of volunteer befriender within the project:
Telephone befrienders and home visit befrienders are expected to make contact ideally once every week (although some do this fortnightly). Calls are usually around half an hour and visits are usually about an hour or so.
Age Groups
Adults (25-65), Older Adults (65+)Themes
Older PeopleRegions
Country: England
South East EnglandOther Information
Type of Befriending: Distance befriending including telephone, video call, letter writing or other means, Face to face befriending which takes place in the home or community
Who can refer: Self Referrals Accepted, Friends & Family Referrals Accepted, Professional Referrals Accepted