London Irish Centre
About London Irish Centre
Our Befriending Service provides support to Irish community members over 55 years, who are experiencing loneliness/isolation and live in London. We deliver a blended approach offering both telephone and in person contact, including home visits. Our contact is delivered by volunteers with some engaging with more than one relationship. The matching process ensures we to find the most suitable befriender for each individual . Contact is for approximately one hour per week over a 12 month period, at which point we aim for the relationship to have developed into a long term friendship. At this point the Befriending client will be signed off from our service.
Aims of the service: increase connections–offer weekly telephone calls or in-person meets–reduce isolation and loneliness–improve wellbeing–enhance happiness and fulfilment–increase confidence–support independent living
50-52 Camden Square, Camden, London,
Service Eligibility
Who we can support: People who over 55, Irish born, with Irish heritage or Irish family connection–no interactions with family/friends or social connection with others–engaged with support services but have no interaction with others including those living in residential care–only have social interactions via telephone–family/friend carers who have no other interactions with others–have had a previous substance dependency but are in recovery- live in London.
Who we are unable to support: currently engaged with a Befriending service or have been in the last 12 months–substance dependent not engaged with support-receiving frequent visits from family or friends-with late stage dementia or significantly diminished mental capacity-with a significant health condition not engaged with support–an unmanaged diagnosed mental health condition–living outside of London.
Information for Volunteers
N A
Age Groups
Adults (25-65)Themes
Older PeopleRegions
Country: England
Greater LondonOther 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