The 2023 Befriending Statistics Report is Here!

20th October 2023

Each year we ask our members to self-report data relating to their befriending services, informing the basis of our annual Befriending Statistics Report. The report reflects on the successes and challenges across the befriending sector, as well as outlining figures relating to the size of the sector, trends in befriending, and a regional breakdown. 

Key statistics

Our Befriending Statistics Report helps to build a picture of the befriending sector as a whole – here are some key figures from this year’s report:

• On average, a befriending volunteer provides 51 hours of befriending support per year.
• The average size of a befriending service is 52 volunteer befrienders.
• The economic value of befriending is at least £16.3 million

Challenges across the sector

In 2023, our results indicate that the key challenges faced across the befriending sector are:

• Sustainability or security of funding
• Recruiting volunteers
• Managing referrals – including those which are complex and those which are inappropriate for a befriending response

Understanding common challenges from across the sector helps us to shape our future training and resources to best support Befriending Networks’ members.

For a full breakdown of the statistics and the methodology used for collection and analysis, download the report here.