The Befriending services offer one to one support and friendship to people who are socially isolated as a result of mental health difficulties.

The Befriending Service for Adults (18+)

This service hopes to make a positive impact by introducing people to each other on a friendly yet supportive basis.
Befriending partnerships are limited to one year at the most. Volunteer befrienders and clients usually meet once a week for a minimum of one hour. What they do in this time depends on what a client needs from the relationship, so befrienders may join sports activities, go to an evening class, a garden centre, or just sit and listen.

The Befriending Service for Older People (50+)

We aim to improve the quality of life for people over 50 + who are experiencing difficulties with their mental and emotional wellbeing. We hope to make a positive impact by introducing clients to volunteers in order to support social independence.
Volunteer partnerships take place once a week for approx 2-3 hours, for the duration of 2-6 mths depending on the client’s needs. Volunteers support clients to follow their hobbies and interests, which is hoped will enhance their self confidence and independence. The aim of the partnership is to give the client an opportunity to build a supportive social network to improve their emotional well being and quality of life and to decrease their sense of isolation.

Who are these services for?

People can refer themselves, or be referred by GP’s, Social Services, Primary Care or Community Mental Heath Teams, always with the knowledge and consent of the client.

After an initial referral, both client and co-ordinator will meet to discuss the service in more detail. This meeting will also give clients the opportunity to talk about their hopes and expectations of the service.

If the client and co-ordinator both agree that befriending would be helpful, the client’s name will be added to the waiting list until a suitable volunteer befriender becomes available.

Who are our befrienders?

All our befrienders are volunteers. They are given a comprehensive training, which includes sessions on mental health issues, listening skills, cultural awareness and Bucks Mind policies and procedures. When volunteers have completed their training, they are then partnered with a client with similar interests as soon as possible.

We pay expenses and offer ongoing training as well as regular supervision and support to all befrienders. In return, we ask that volunteers are committed, caring and reliable as well as willing to work within the boundaries set by the Befriending Service.

Befriending Services Contact Details:

The Befriending Service for Adults (18+)

For Wycombe & South Bucks/Chiltern:
Contact - Pauline Hayden 07788 438134
email: pauline.hayden@bucksmind.org.uk

For Aylesbury Vale:
Contact- Linda Tyrrell 07787 502734
email: linda.tyrrell@bucksmind.org.uk

The Befriending Service for Older People (50+)

For Buckinghamshire:
Contact – Louise Paine 07789 602416
Email: louise.paine@bucksmind.org.uk

Sun House
32 Church Street
Chesham
Bucks
HP5 1HU
Tel: 01494 773233

Aylesbury Head Office: 01296 437328