OVER 65s BEFRIENDING SERVICE – currently open

Are you a good listener who enjoys a friendly chat and is comfortable on the phone or face-to-face? Can you spare just an hour or so each week for at least the next six months? Then we need YOU!

Our befriending service for Newham elders has gone from strength to strength since we launched it at the start of the pandemic. So far it has supported 80+ older people through lockdowns and loneliness and brought them comfort, companionship and laughter. But it’s become so popular that we now have a waiting list of clients and need more volunteers!

Your role will be to call or meet with a local older person regularly, getting to know them, and creating a friendly and supportive relationship. Helpful training and ongoing support will be provided to help you succeed in this fulfilling role. Here’s what one a few of our volunteer befrienders have to say about their experience:

“Over the past year we have built up a great rapport. I look forward to our weekly chat and my befriendee look forward to receiving my calls. We have not met each other but there is definitely a friendship bond between us. It gives me great pleasure to be able to share a bit of time with someone.”

“Befriending has been truly an extraordinary experience for me. It’s amazing to be able to see the impact of our regular conversations on my befriendee’s mood – this service is a life saver for isolated and lonely people.”

The befriending service operates by phone or face-to-face. While it only requires an hour or so of your time each week, the relationship aspect of the role means volunteers do need to commit to being available for at least 6-12 months.

To apply for this role, please download and complete the Volunteer Application below and email it to Clem, our Befriending Project Coordinator as soon as possible. If you would prefer a paper copy, please email Clem to request this.