BEFRIENDING SERVICE
Do you know anyone who lives alone and feels lonely?
Why introduce someone to Talk Befriending Service?
We are running a telephone-based befriending service: called friends.
Our call volunteers make regular telephone calls to lonely and isolated older people providing a lifeline of friendship and support. These regular conversations and companionship offers a vital link with the outside world.
Over time, Talk Befrienders and the older person they are paired with will get to know each other well and will spend many hours of fun and laughter, sharing stories as well as offering vital support over the phone.
Who can refer?
Anyone can introduce an older person to us, including family, friends, social and health care professional’s day centres, churches and other charities. We welcome referrals from NHS link workers. Most of the older people we support live alone or in sheltered housing and have little or no contact with family or friends. Many of them struggle to leave their home in normal times.
How does it work?
A Talk volunteer befriender will make regular calls to the same older person for an informal chat.
They talk on the phone two to four times a month at a mutually agreed time
Calls will last for around 15-20 minutes.