We know that our Befriending service makes a real difference. People who use the service tell us that our volunteer Befrienders have helped them to manage their mental health and to overcome anxiety and isolation. We are proud of this service and the fantastic work the volunteers and Befriending team do.
Unfortunately, in March 2025, Buckinghamshire Council stopped funding this service. Since then, we have been working hard to raise the funds needed to keep going. Although we have had some success, we know that we will not be able to continue running this service in the current format beyond the end of the year and so it will need to be closed to new referrals from 1st August 2025.
We understand how important this service is to so many people and that this will be difficult news to read.
In the meantime, we will continue to work hard to find new funding for this work to continue in 2026 and look at other ways that we can provide one-to-one support in the community to those who need it.
We will keep you up-to-date with progress. If you have any questions, please get in touch at [email protected] or call 01494 463364.
Joel Rose, Chief Executive, Buckinghamshire Mind