Training
Our training is designed to support your befriending project to thrive, reach its goals and provide quality befriending support to individuals and communities. Find out more about what we have to offer and browse our upcoming training sessions below. Dates are added throughout the year, so please check back or subscribe to our newsletter to be kept up to date.
Greatly appreciate the time and effort that must have gone into developing this training. Engaging, encouraging and very informative. I learnt a lot.
The facilitator was really friendly and welcoming and was obviously very knowledgeable about the work we were completing.
Thank you so much for the information and for being so proactive with the strategies for the online sessions. It’s honestly so nice to work with a deaf-aware organisation, it makes us feel really valued as members.

Vital Skills for Staff
Vital Skills for Staff consists of seven modules, developed by Befriending Networks to provide comprehensive training for new coordinators or managers, or as a refresher for existing members of a befriending team. All seven modules contain content applicable to both distance and face-to-face befriending projects.
- Train the Trainer
- Recruiting Volunteers
- Supporting and Supervising Your Team
- Boundaries
- Risk Management
- Matching and Endings
- Managing Waiting Lists and Organisational Capacity

Topical Training
OurTopical Training is designed to support staff in their role. These short introductory-level courses cover a range of common themes and topics that support continued professional development and the operations of your befriending project. Our Topical Training catalogue includes:
- Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting Impact
- Policies and Procedures for Befrienders
- Introduction to Safeguarding
- Supporting Mental Wellbeing
- Volunteer Retention

Good Practice Training
Each Good Practice Training topic helps strengthen the befriending project operations. Training is delivered through interactive online workshops and discussions, with follow-up access to relevant Good Practice resources, including some exclusive to attendees. We currently offer three courses:
- Bereavement in Befriending – This train-the-trainer style session will equip you with knowledge and practical skills for supporting others through bereavement, and provide you with a training toolkit and support to deliver your own bereavement training internally.
- Dementia and Befriending – Develop your knowledge, practical skills and information to provide supportive and appropriate dementia befriending. This course provides you with a training toolkit and support to deliver your own dementia training internally.
- Management and Leadership in Befriending Projects – Supports professional development for anyone already established in their role who aims to build confidence or gain responsibilities. Course runs bespoke to participants’ requests and is complemented by independent completion of core management and leadership theory through e-learning.

E-learning
E-learning with Befriending Networks is an on-demand training resource available for staff and volunteers. These courses are designed to support you in your role within a befriending service. We currently have 3 courses for project staff, and 2 for befrienders. All e-learning for befrienders is free to access. Courses available include:
- Collaboration and Co-design (For Project Staff)
- Handling Complex and Inappropriate Referrals (For Project Staff)
- Running a Befriending Service (For Project Staff)
- How to have your first conversation (For Befrienders)
- How to create social connections (For Befrienders)
Find your next course
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Good Practice: Bereavement in Befriending
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
10:00 – 13:00 (GMT)This course is designed to support both staff and volunteers in supporting others through loss: loss of life, loss of…
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Vital Skills: Risk Management
Monday, 11 May 2026
09:30 – 13:30 (GMT)Examine the purpose, structure and best approach of a risk management policy and procedure, protecting stakeholders and the reputation of…
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Vital Skills: Train the Trainer
Tuesday, 2 June 2026Develop your knowledge, skills and confidence for designing, delivering and evaluating the training you provide.
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Good Practice: Dementia and Befriending
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
10:00 – 13:30 (GMT)Great session and really appreciate that we were offered a free follow-up session – great to get a few weeks…
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Vital Skills: Boundaries
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
09:30 – 14:00 (GMT)Examine the purpose of boundaries, how to communicate & embed boundaries to protect all stakeholders, providing clarity on acceptable behaviours
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Supporting and Supervising Your Team
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
13:00 – 15:30 (GMT)Builds your knowledge and confidence to effectively support volunteers, staff, and service users, while strengthening your organisation’s practice.
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Vital Skills: Managing Waiting Lists and Organisational Capacity
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
09:30 – 13:30 (GMT)Is a waiting list system good for your project? Do you have the capacity to manage it? Join this session…
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Vital Skills: Recruiting Volunteers
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
09:30 – 13:30 (GMT)This interactive, practice‑focused course equips staff with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to recruit the right volunteer befrienders for…
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Management and Leadership in Befriending Projects
Wednesday, 19 August 2026
10:00 – 12:00 (GMT)This course is tailored for staff involved in befriending projects, offering practical support and skill development for ongoing professional growth….
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Would you prefer in-person training delivered at your organisation? Contact our team to discuss your options.
