The Befriending Service
The befriending service is central to the services offered by City and Hackney Mind. The service is managed by the Befriending Coordinator with the help of trained volunteers. The befriending service is available to anyone who lives in the borough of City and Hackney, ages 18 to 65 who are isolated and lack the ability to engage in their community due to experiencing mental health problems. 

What does Befriending Involve?
Befriending is a means of providing individuals who are experiencing mental health problems with regular one to one support from a trained volunteer or through the befriending support group to pursue a social activity together. The aim of the service is to lessen the individual’s isolation and promote development of self confidence and self esteem through this unique friendship, enabling people to live successfully and independently in the community.

Becoming a Volunteer Befriender
To make people aware of their role as a Befriender, all volunteers under go a selection process, consisting of an informal interview, and a short preparation course which is designed to build upon existing skills and personal qualities. Two references are required and volunteers are asked to undergo an enhanced disclosure check. Befrienders are asked to give a minimum of one year commitment to the project.

On completion of training and checks, Befrienders are then matched with someone according to similar interests. You and your friend then arrange to meet up on a regular basis to take part in a range of social activities which you can both share and enjoy.  Befrienders build up a reliable and trusting friendship with their friend whilst engaging in a social activity or outing.  Typical activities undertaken by mutual interest are: walking; cycling; swimming; bowling; trip to town; local walks; cinema; seeing a show at the theatre; visiting a museum or gallery; having a meal or just going for a walk or coffee.

Why choose befriending?

• Clients recognise they want a bit more out of life but find this difficult to achieve alone at this time and would benefit from some support.
• Whilst most of us take other people in our lives for granted and we see going to the cinema or for a coffee as part of our everyday routine, for people who are socially isolated due to their mental health problems, doing such an activity with someone else means such a lot.
• A befriender is often the only person in the life of an individual who is not paid to be there and so plays an invaluable role in helping someone feel less isolated and alone and can open up a window to the outside world.
• By sparing 2 to 4 hours once a week or fortnight, Befrienders can really make a difference to someone else's life. Befriending can have a positive effect for everyone involved, the client, the volunteer and in some cases the carer.
• Having a Befriender can help by, reducing loneliness and isolation, increasing social skills and self confidence, establishing links within the local community and promoting independence.

What do we require from Volunteers and how much time and commitment do you need to give?

• You must be 18 years or over.
• You must be willing to commit to a minimum of one year.
• You must attend an induction and ongoing training.
• You must attend quarterly individual supervision and bi-monthly group supervision.
• You must have experience or be willing to learn about mental health problems.
• You must be understanding and non-judgmental.
• If involved in one to one befriending you must be willing to see your client for 2 to 4 hours once a week or once a fortnight.

• If you are involved in the group befriending you must be willing to commit for 2 to 4 hours per week.

What will the scheme offer you?

• An opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge
• An opportunity to meet new people.
• An opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the community.
• Gain valuable experience working with people with mental health problems.

• Ongoing support and supervision on an individual and group basis.
• All expenses reimbursed.
• A reference after 6 months of service

Could you be a Volunteer Befriender?
As a Befriender you can make a real difference to the lives of people who are struggling to cope with loneliness and isolation. Volunteer Befriending offers an excellent opportunity which provides training, support, supervision and all expenses paid. Male and Female Volunteers are needed to offer support to people experiencing mental health problems whilst engaging in social activities. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are keen to recruit volunteers from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

For further information on befriending and volunteering

Contact:
Cyrillia Francis
Befriending Co-ordinator

Cyrillia.francis@cityandhackneymind.org.uk
0208 525 2316
   

The Approved Provider Standard

City and Hackney Mind Befriending Service is accredited with the Approved Provider Standard (APS) by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation

The APS is a national benchmark for organizations providing one-to-one volunteer mentoring or befriending.  It is a national award supported by the Cabinet Office and the Department for Education and Skills, meeting the APS signifies competence and safe practice in mentoring and befriending.