The Future of Befriending

12th November 2024

Planning for today’s AGM, spurred by the publication of our strategic plan for the next 5 years we settled upon an AGM theme ‘The Future of Befriending’.

Our strategic plan is specific, measurable, and we hope achievable over the next 5 years – so question answered, if we all follow our plans then all will be as expected the short term future.

If only it was that simple.

In the current climate planning or imagining a 5-year future feels challenging and overwhelming, but we anchor ourselves by what we believe to be our constants and plan accordingly.

But 5 years might feel quick, what if we looked further head – a long term future? Could we plan then?

In December, Befriending Networks will mark 30 years as a charity. I wondered what the founding members imagined the future of befriending being when they formed the association in 1994? Have we realised or surpassed their predictions of the future? Would we be bold enough today to imagine the next 30 years?

Today’s context is challenging. It is difficult. It is overwhelming. It can feel gloomy. I was going to fill this input with stats and data (everyone loves data); but I was struggling to find positive trends to share. So, in short – money continues to be tight, inequalities are widening, need is increasing, volunteer numbers are declining, loneliness is increasing.

And one of our member trustees said, “Oh, I read the theme as a question: Does befriending have a future?”

A fair reflection, optimism is low, our glass may be half full. But I cannot possibly speak today with a tone of pessimism and despair. Befriending Networks is here To support. To collaborate. To lead.

Befriending has a future.  

And then a member said to me, “We are not ready for AI befrienders!”

It made me think. Is this the future we imagine for befriending or is this a future we fear?

I personally feel anxious about the idea of an AI befriender… but I feel we are increasingly exposed to AI infiltrating so many other aspects of our lives it does make me curious. So I thought right – let’s embrace it… I asked Chat GPT…

Well a positive tone, but was I slightly underwhelmed. No wild or radical predictions of the future. But, I was also reassured, nothing totally surprising or a major curve ball coming our way.  AI is positive we have a future (trustee’s question answered!) and suggests we anticipate more tech.

Then I go back to our Strategic Plan and see we have also recognised the need for the befriending sector to embrace digital technologies over the next 5 years. “Objective 5: Developing a Digitally connected Network”

What in digital could we be utilising to support us to manage our time, maximise our resources, get the best for and from our people? So that befriending can shine, how can we use technology to support the human connection that matters in befriending? The technology is already there for training, for events, for measuring impact, for matching, but many of us remain anxious, deskilled, fearful, sceptical, unaware or we may seek this future but are priced out by licences and subscriptions and by our awareness that the individuals and communities we seek to reach face significant digital inequalities.

I get more curious into what else my Chat GPT fuelled crystal ball is going to tell me:

As I read on with this AI-generated script I felt it was rose-tinted  at a time when optimism that is on the wane in the sector and certainly didn’t reflect this recent news of budget announcements, learning of charity closures, of in year funding cuts, and volunteering shortages.

Our communities, our society, and our organisations are much more complex and more uncertain.

As befriending organisations we are navigating an uncertain future. But a future all the same.

We are told to be ‘resilient’, ‘sustainable’, to ‘diversify’, ‘to measure our impact’, ‘to know our worth’. But we are also vulnerable, exhausted, fearful, and uncertain; and so are many of the people in our services.

My approach to managing and leading in uncertainty is to acknowledge the situation and focus on controlling what I can control.

We all know that there is no standing still in charity sector – our only constant is change.

How we respond to change matters. Our reaction. Our action. Our decisions matter.

But we do not have to do this alone. We have personal and professional values that are grounding; we have peers, colleagues and local, regional and national networks of expertise to scaffold us; and we have our purpose, vision and values.

So, what might be certain in amongst the feelings of uncertainty?

The economy

Lets start big. The economy – it is tough and is going to get tougher. It is a long game for economic recovery, so there will be no quick wins and likely to be significant hardship and losses. It is the greatest threat to our sector’s immediate future. Fair Funding is needed. Covenants must become action. What can we control? Our spending, our reserves, our fundraising strategy, our attitude and appetite for risk, and our relationship with existing supporters.

Technology and digital

It is not going anywhere, we must embrace it with whatever capacity or resources we have, or risk being left behind. What can we control? Our willingness to learn, our ability to share knowledge with others, to find people who can help, teach or guide us. Is digital in our plan and on the radar of our boards?  

Demographics

Our population is ageing which impacts on demand for services and befriending services. Our working age population is working longer, often with sandwich the caring responsibilities, this reduces our volunteering pool. What can we control? Our volunteer experience. Our reputation for valuing and looking after our volunteers. Our impact on our service users. Our eligibility criteria. Our ability to evidence need and unmet need.

Chronic loneliness

This is impacting the health of our communities, the data tells us so. What we can control is to be certain that we are making an impact with those most in need, those who are chronically lonely, or where we can prevent the tipping point into chronic loneliness for those on the cusp.

Of course other variables are uncertain but where we can exercise some control such as environmental sustainability, diverse and cohesive communities, and mental health and wellbeing.  

The world can feeling dark or gloomy – but lets control what we can control. That starts with putting your own life jacket on. Your wellbeing is number 1. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

So remind ourselves daily what brings us joy in befriending, this might be:

• Our passion and belief in befriending.
• The brilliant colleagues who make our organisations turn.
• The wonderful people who seek compassion and companionship through using our services.
• The willing volunteers who give their time and their care to serve others.
• Our supporters and friends who will champion befriending when we are not in the room.
• Our peers and network who will share a problem or suggest a solution in challenging time.

Those closest to us matter. Our response, our reaction and our perspective is what matters to the future of befriending.   

The future of befriending will require tenacity, it will require us to persevere, to continue adapting and evolving. It may require us to be louder, more together, more diverse, and more inclusive. But most of all it will require us to believe in the goodness of people.  Their willingness to serve others, and the warmth and connection that comes from befriending is what gives us optimism.

I’ve not predicted the future, nor have I dwelled on nostalgia of the past. I hope I have planted questions for thought, ideas for action, and a reminder that Befriending Networks is your network. We are here together, with a shared purpose, to navigate the future of befriending together.

That is why we are excited to announce today that we are going back on the road with our Journey Across Befriending in-person events throughout 2025 taking place in Aberdeen, Glasgow, London, Cardiff, Tamworth and York; alongside our online programme of thematic networking and networking for leaders and managers.

Our 2025 training programme will prepare and support the workforce with the skills and knowledge to take control and lead.

Our Quality Award will offer assurance that your service is continuously committed to its quality of service and volunteer experience.

And I give our commitment that our staff team will be responsive and available to your 1:1 support requirements. A reminder that you are never alone in the future of befriending.

Back to my AI assistant for the final word – as I couldn’t have said it better myself.