Befriending

Befriending for older people

Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.

The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self confidence. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact.

"Befriending is one of the simplest yet most important but most neglected of services. It meets people in whatever their situation – bereavement, distress, illness, loneliness, vulnerability – and may be, perhaps more than sophisticated services, critical to their survival.”
Terry Philpot, Community Care Magazine – (as Editor-in-chief)

Hampshire County Council recognises the importance of Befriending within our County and the Older-People's Well-Being team are working with our partners in the voluntary, statutory, health and districts to offer a framework within which this activity can operate.