Befriending Scheme
The aim of our Befriending Scheme is to provide companionship to the residents of Eastwood and North Broxtowe, who want and would benefit from it.
Unfortunately, we cannot take anyone with dementia, however, there are specialist organisations that will be able to help you – get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.Â
Spending time with one of our volunteer Befrienders can:
- increase your confidence and self esteem
- give you someone to talk to on a regular basis
- help you to become involved with your local community
- motivate you to join new clubs
- broaden your social circle
local residents use our Befriending Scheme
volunteers offer their time to others
hours are gifted each year by our Befrienders
How our Befriending Scheme works
1
Contact us
Call us on 01773 535 255 or send us a message to arrange your visit.
You’ll speak to Maureen who is our Befriending Coordinator – she’s available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 12pm and 4pm.
2
We'll visit you
We’ll visit you to find out about your needs and interests, and to ask you some questions about what you expect from our Befriending Scheme.
In order to benefit from this service you must agree to us storing your personal information, and sharing your information with your Befriender.
3
You'll be matched with a Befriender
Once we have all the information we need, we’ll start the matching process.
We’ll be in touch throughout the process and will do our best to match you with the right person. However, if something doesn’t feel right after the first visit or later on, please let Maureen know as soon as possible. If it’s not right for you it probably won’t be for the volunteer, so we will try again to get it right.Â
Do not worry about offending anyone. Be honest.
4
Meet your Befriender
As soon as we’ve found a mutual match, we’ll arrange for your first Befriender visit.
This initial meeting is to see if you are likely to get along, and are both clear on what you will be doing together, when, and how often.
If for whatever reason, an arranged visit is unable to go ahead, please let us know as soon as possible.
What to expect
You’ll be able to decide what type of things you’d like to do during the one-hour visit from your Befriender, such as:
- enjoy a chat and a cuppa
- go out for a walk
- do a jigsaw together
- watch something on TV
What our Befriending Scheme is not
Just so you know, Befrienders are not able to help you with things like:
- personal care
- housework
- cooking
- finances
- shopping
That said, accompanying you to the shops during a visit is fine.
Who are our Befrienders?
Our Befrienders are people of all ages and from all walks of life who offer their time on a voluntary basis. They are friendly, possess a wealth of diverse skills, and have been carefully vetted by our organisation.
As soon as a suitable volunteer becomes available Maureen, our Befriending Scheme Coordinator, will arrange to bring the volunteer to meet you.Â
Become a Befriender
Eastwood Volunteer Bureau is urgently seeking kind, caring and committed Befriending volunteers.
By giving just one hour of your time each week to enjoy a cuppa and a natter with a lonely or vulnerable resident in North Broxtowe, you could make an incredible difference to someone’s life (and to your own).
