Welcome to the Befriending Networks Member Discussion Forum.<br />Visit the <a href="http://www.befriending.co.uk/">Befriending Networks website</a>. http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/index.php Fri, 18 May 2012 07:20:14 +0100 Phorum 5.2.7 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,229,229#msg-229 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,229,229#msg-229
Thanks in advance!]]> Rosiaina Browning Befriending Networks Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:10:54 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,226,226#msg-226 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,226,226#msg-226
I am increasingly coming across car insurers who are unwilling to change a volunteers insurance from social and domestic to business use without charging for this. Firstly, do other services insist on business use for their drivers and secondly, has anyone else come across these charges. I am actually going to be discussing this matter with our (Aberlour) head of policy who is involved at the Scottish Parliament so any information I can get will help.

Thanks, Jon.]]> jon anderson Befriending Networks Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:03:21 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,225,225#msg-225 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,225,225#msg-225
Thank you in advance!!

Alana
Broomhouse Youth Befriending]]> Lesley Fraser Befriending Networks Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:00:05 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,224,224#msg-224 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,224,224#msg-224 Chris Guinness Befriending Networks Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:20:34 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,223,223#msg-223 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,223,223#msg-223
I am currently developing a moving and assisting policy for my organisation. It needs to be quite generic as it will cover not only befrienders but all employees who may come into contact with service users.

It would be great to know what policys are currently in place for other organisations?

Many Thanks,
Hannah]]> hannahkinney Befriending Networks Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:28:25 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,222,222#msg-222 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,222,222#msg-222
I really need some help with a referral and waiting list policy, any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Alana]]> Lesley Fraser Befriending Networks Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:52:34 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,220,220#msg-220 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,220,220#msg-220
BNS have been contacted by someone working on behalf of Lloyds TSB Foundation who is wanting to speak to befriending projects whose funding runs out in the next few months (he is writing an article on the state of funding in the befriending sector).

If you have a spare ten minutes or so and would like to be included in the article, please let me know as soon as possible and I will pass on your details.

Many, many thanks!

All the best

Sam
sam@befriending.co.uk; 0131 225 6156]]> Samantha Rospigliosi Befriending Networks Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:20:48 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,219,219#msg-219 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,219,219#msg-219
Can anyone help me. At present my training programme is based on a group setting. Due to changes in my project I may have to do one -to-one befriending training. I have never done this sort of training. Does anyone have a programme i could look at or if they are available to meet with me to discuss please let me know. My email is lesleykerr@redcross.org.uk
many thanks]]> Lesley Kerr Befriending Networks Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:32:09 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,216,216#msg-216 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,216,216#msg-216
We're having some difficulty in that we never seem to recruit volunteers who smoke! This is obviously a good thing in lots of ways, but not in others. A few of our Befriendees are heavy smokers and even though they agree to not smoke in the house whilst their Befriender is there (as per our smoking guidelines) Befrienders quite often have an issue with the smell of smoke being around. Lately. this has resulted in several potentially ideal matches ceasing to continue after the introduction. The Befriendees are now looking to be re-matched but it could be absolutely ages before a smoking volunteer (or one who doesn't mind!) comes along.
Has anyone else encountered this problem? I don't think it'd be legal for us to advertise to recruit smokers specifically(!) so any other suggestions anyone?

Thanks!

Ros]]> Rosiaina Browning Befriending Networks Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:34:08 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,210,210#msg-210 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,210,210#msg-210 Cathy McGregor Befriending Networks Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:37:41 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,209,209#msg-209 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,209,209#msg-209 Cathy McGregor Befriending Networks Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:33:48 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,208,208#msg-208 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,208,208#msg-208 Cathy McGregor Befriending Networks Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:33:37 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,207,207#msg-207 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,207,207#msg-207 Cathy McGregor Befriending Networks Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:33:21 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,206,206#msg-206 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,206,206#msg-206 Cathy McGregor Befriending Networks Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:33:13 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,201,201#msg-201 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,201,201#msg-201
I'm sure you're all as excited as me about the new PVG Scheme coming in to force on Monday. Just wondering if anyone has had the new forms through yet? We've been told ours are on their way but still no sign!

Jess.]]> Jess Wade Befriending Networks Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:53:14 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,192,192#msg-192 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,192,192#msg-192
Many thanks
Hilary Dunsmore]]> Hilary Dunsmore Befriending Networks Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:35:23 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,188,188#msg-188 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,188,188#msg-188
Hibs Football Club have just phoned BNS and offered us some free tickets to see the Hibs vs St Mirren match at Easter Road on Wednesday, 2 February. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

Please can you let me know as soon as possible (no later than Wednesday 26th January) if you or any of your staff/befrienders/clients would like tickets (2 per project although if the uptake is low we will be able to increase this).

Many thanks

Sam (info@befriending.co.uk)]]> Samantha Rospigliosi Befriending Networks Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:02:44 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,182,182#msg-182 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,182,182#msg-182 I would like to send out a questionaire to all our befrienders to determine if there are any common issues, concerns, needs etc. If anyone has used group questionaires i would really appreciate a copy. many thanks]]> Ross King, Liz McIntosh, Lorna Russell Befriending Networks Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:56:28 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,180,180#msg-180 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,180,180#msg-180
You might have already heard about this appeal, but if not, I am emailing you to let you know about the Guardian/Observer Christmas Appeal 2010. The appeal is for projects working with vulnerable teenagers and young adults. According to their website, “This year The Guardian newspaper’s Christmas appeal will support charities working with vulnerable teenagers and young adults. That bit is decided on but it doesn’t know yet which ones to support. The newspaper is looking for 10 projects which do innovative, effective work with young people at risk aged 13 to 24. If you know of a charity which you think The Guardian or Observer ought to support then encourage them to apply or nominate them."

The deadline is tight: 8 October 2010

For more information, visit:
[www.guardian.co.uk]]]> Samantha Rospigliosi Befriending Networks Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:14:08 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,179,179#msg-179 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,179,179#msg-179
A quick query regarding cash floats.

I would be interested to hear how other services manage cash floats for their befrienders? In particular, those whos befrienders don't come to their work building regularly and tend to use the young persons home as a base. We are proposing 'cash tins' with a float allocate each month - the tins are then brought to supervision every 4/6weeks and topped up (given accurate reciepts are provided).

I appreciate any information you could give me, as we are a new,y developed project you can imagine how helpful your feedback is!

My email is hannah@ssba.org.uk

Thanks
Hannah]]> hannahkinney Befriending Networks Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:32:49 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,174,174#msg-174 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,174,174#msg-174
Just a quick query: we've recently been told by our safeguarding manager that we should not allow potential volunteers to undertake any training until we have received their Disclosure back satisfactorily. This is a UK-wide policy for our organisation.

I just wondered what the situation is in Scotland and whether this new directive has been issued because of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (England, Wales & NI)? I hadn't heard anything up here to suggest that, legally, prospective volunteers can't receive training until their Disclosures are back and just wondered if others had?

Jess.]]> Jess Wade Befriending Networks Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:30:24 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,173,173#msg-173 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,173,173#msg-173
My project involves sessional workers traveling to and from the young person they are befriending's house before and after each session. It has been suggested that sessional workers should be able to claim back travel expenses incurred and be paid their hourly rate from the time they leave their own house.

We currently cover the cost of any travel expenses incurred during the outing with the young person, and are unsure if we should be covering these additional costs as well?

I would appreciate feedback on how other services deal with the issue of travel to and from the persons house?

My email is hannah@ssba.org.uk

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Hannah]]> hannahkinney Befriending Networks Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:57:35 +0000 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,172,172#msg-172 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,172,172#msg-172
"Virgin Trains is to offer charity workers a 20 per cent discount for work-related journeys on its advance train tickets (including peak times). The company claims it is the first train operator to make such an offer, which starts on 13 August and includes advance fares for all routes, including peak-time journeys. To qualify for the discount for their staff, organisations must get at least 10 per cent of their annual income from voluntary sources and must register as a charity with Virgin Trains CharityLine. If a charity’s annual income is more than £500,000, it will have to provide a link to its accounts on the Charity Commission website as confirmation. Charity staff travelling under the scheme must travel with identification or a letter of authorisation to prove they are making a work-related journey. Tickets can be booked until 23:59 the day before travel.
"This is a way we can provide benefits to lots of charities, which we are happy to do," said Richard Burns, communications manager for Virgin Trains. "We hope uptake will be high."

All the best,

Sam]]> Samantha Rospigliosi Befriending Networks Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:45:08 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,170,170#msg-170 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,170,170#msg-170
Hope you're all enjoying the summer so far.

All the best,

Sam]]> Samantha Rospigliosi Befriending Networks Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:58:30 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,167,167#msg-167 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,167,167#msg-167
I hope you are enjoying our sunny weather at long last! Thrive are starting 'group' befriending and we would like some advice. What do you think is the ideal ratio of befrienders to befriendees? Is there a minimum and maximum number of clients that should work with 2 befrienders?

Many Thanks in advance,

Alison]]> Alison Barr Befriending Networks Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:37:03 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,164,164#msg-164 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,164,164#msg-164
I run a Volunteer Befriending project for adults with physical disabilities. I've had a few requests from volunteers about how to handle different moods of their Befriendees sensitively. Does anyone know of an organisation that might run training on this kind of topic?

Thank you!

Rosiaina]]> Rosiaina Browning Befriending Networks Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:06:08 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,162,162#msg-162 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,162,162#msg-162
1. Do any befriending projects have volunteers or other supporters who ever undertake fundraising activities for them? (eg sponsored events) It’s not something we hear about very often and we would be interested in any case studies (and photographs!) for the newsletter.

2. If so, do you set up on-line donation facilities using fundraising websites? Which sites do you use? Are they good value for small charities? Some seem to have high monthly charges which might make them only affordable for larger organisations.

Thanks,
Martha]]> Martha Lester-Cribb Befriending Networks Fri, 28 May 2010 15:11:54 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,158,158#msg-158 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,158,158#msg-158
Does anyone have a a template letter for when a befriending relationship comes to an end that can be sent to the client.

I am stuck as to how best to do this

Many thanks

Lesley Kerr
Befriending co-ordinator SLTU]]> Lesley Kerr Befriending Networks Fri, 07 May 2010 11:04:52 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,156,156#msg-156 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,156,156#msg-156
Leaha Knapp]]> Neil Ellis Befriending Networks Tue, 04 May 2010 11:19:59 +0100 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,155,155#msg-155 http://www.befriending.co.uk/forum/read.php?2,155,155#msg-155
My name is Brigitte Matthews. I have replaced Catherine King, Senior Co-ordinator for K&D Befriending and I would very much value feedback from anyone who has undertaken, or is in the process of undertaking, one of the above.

Cheers
Brigitte

Email: befriending@hotmail.com
Tel.: 01569 765714]]> Brigitte Matthews Befriending Networks Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:44:00 +0100