There are certain criteria which have to be met before the Befriending Service can accept referrals.
In the first instance you qualify if you are:
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An adult (over 18 years) with a disability
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An older person and feel isolated or alone
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Are able to contribute to a two-way befriending relationship
How do I request a Befriender?
If you meet these criteria, then a referral enquiry can be made on your behalf by a social worker, community nurse, support worker or GP;
In fact anyone who knows you on an ongoing basis in a professional capacity and who is willing to act as your Referral Agent.
An Enquiry form would then be completed by you and your Referral Agent. The Development Officer would then assess if this is an appropriate referral and send out a full referral pack the the referrer.
Once this has been received, the Volunteer Centre will arrange a visit with you to discuss the referral
At the Befriending Service Case Management Meetings, held roughly every 8 weeks, we will discuss which befriending service is available and most suitable to your needs.
We will then arrange to match you with a suitable befriender.
Is there a cost for this service?
No the Service is free to the Befriendee.
Once you are matched with a volunteer Befriender, you only pay for your share of any arranged outings, travel, entry fees, refreshments, etc.
As your Befriender is a volunteer they are reimbursed their expenses by the Befriending Service.
How long will it take to find a Befriender?
There is no definite time frame as we do not operate a conventional waiting list. We take great care in finding a suitable match and try to find you a “good match” based on information you give us about your circumstances, interests, your availability and other factors such as health, mobility, etc. It is important that befriending works well for both the Befriendee and Befriender.
We must mention that we are not always able to find a match for everyone who is referred, but exceptions are rare and this should not put you off approaching us.
How long will I have a Befriender?
All going well, for at least six months. At this point a review will be held to decide whether or not to continue the match.
Confidentiality
The Befriending Service is confidential and respectful.
Any information you provide is kept safe and secure and used only in accordance with your wishes and Data Protection regulations.