Project – Community Befrienders

COMMUNITY BEFRIENDERS

Supporting Communities by Reducing Isolation and Loneliness amongst vulnerable adults of all ages

“50% of disabled people will be lonely on any given day and loneliness is likely to increase your risk of death by 29%” – Holt-Lunstad, 2015

Community Befrienders aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst vulnerable adults, through matching trained volunteers to visit and befriend people in their own homes or on the phone.

Community Befrienders volunteers offer a crucial lifeline and confidence boost to socially isolated Hackney and City residents through one to one weekly visits.

Volunteers meet with their client on a weekly or regular basis, act as a listening ear, help build confidence and self-esteem, offer support in identifying and achieving goals and aspirations, and of course have fun!

The visits usually last between 1-2 hours and we encourage volunteers to not only engage in conversation but to find local activities, groups or events and share these experiences together.

We provide full support, supervision and training for all our volunteers, and take time and careful consideration to ensure that volunteers are suitably matched based on skills, interests and availability.

We are also delivering a project in partnership with Homerton Hospital and the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust to provide crucial support to people identified as “frequent users” of emergency services, to help people better manage their conditions.

Want to become a volunteer or refer a patient? Email or call the Community Befrienders Programme Manager, Bridget Akinbolaji.

Volunteer as a Community Befriender

Email: communitybefrienders@vchackney.org

Phone: 0207 241 4443

Programme Manager: Bridget Akinbolaji

Community Befrienders Coordinator: Tom Bradley

Read one of the many success stories of our Community Befrienders.

See Case Study

I still really enjoy every visit regardless if we make it out or not. B is such a great company. My Thursday visits are now one of my favourite activities of the week
– Community Supporter Volunteer

It’ s a pleasure volunteering with M as she is really keen to improve her life, and I think she is working hard to leave her comfort zone and address her mental health issues. I’ m delighted that the scheme is so well organised as it allows us all to work towards tangible goals. And I’ ve met some lovely people…
– Jess, Community Supporter Volunteer

Funders

Partners

We receive referrals from and partner with community mental health teams, emergency services including A&E and the Crisis Line, Adult Social Care, Homerton Hospital, GPs, and various charities and community groups including Family Action, St Joseph’s Hospice and Age UK.