News & Press

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Befriending Networks' CEO Sarah Van Putten speaks at SCVO The Gathering about how Befriending Networks uses the National Performance Framework.

This week saw the publication of Connected Communities, Wales' strategy for tackling loneliness and social isolation and building stronger social connections.

This year there was a social media buzz around 'Blue Monday' that started conversations about the meaning and impact of loneliness.

Throughout the festive season and into the New Year, several campaigns have been launched to increase awareness about the prevalence of loneliness in the UK, the damaging effects loneliness has on health and wellbeing, organisations who support those who are lonely, and ways to volunteer to help tackle what has been labelled a 'loneliness epidemic'.

Befriending Week 1-7 November 2019 put the Spotlight on Health and Wellbeing and there were more celebrations, participation, engagment and excitement than ever before! Read a summary of the week.

Charlotte, who is now 86, was referred to Time to Talk Befriending in 2016 by her physiotherapist. Charlotte has only been living full time as a female for the past 2 years, for 83 years of her life she lived as Ronald.

“Sixty years with my wife (after she had passed) is hard to recover from, but making so many new friends and meeting my fantastic Befriendee, has left me with a positive outlook for the future. I would not have thought this would have been possible a short while ago”

Monifieth Befrienders' “Friendship Group” was set up in March using a Tesco “Bags of help” award. The idea was for people waiting for a befriender to get together for soup, a sandwich a game of dominoes and a blether.

Jonathan has been volunteering with People Know How since May 2019 and has supported numerous projects during this time.

“I have improved my confidence, especially by trying things I haven’t done before… It’s been really good trying new things and pushing the envelope a bit in terms of what I thought I’d be comfortable with”

St Barnabas Community Companions are volunteers who provide support to our patients and their carers. This might include visiting a patient’s home for a chat, helping them with shopping or going out for a coffee. 

One of our Community Companions, Liam, has kindly shared his experiences of visiting patients.

St Barnabas Community Companions are volunteers who provide support to our patients and their carers. This might include visiting a patient’s home for a chat, helping them with shopping or going out for a coffee. 

One of our Community Companions, Anna, has kindly shared her experiences of visiting patients.

Albert and Alex

Albert was recently widowed and, when he moved from his family home to sheltered accommodation in an area he wasn't familiar with, he was isolated and feeling lonely.

Nine years ago, while unemployed, Natalie began volunteering with Glasgow’s Golden Generation.

“The best bit about volunteering with someone who is feeling isolated or lonely is that the benefits not only extend to them and their families, but the volunteer too.”

Meet Gavin and Suzanne, a befriending match with Lead Scotland's Fife Adult Befriending Project.

The impact a volunteer befriender can have on a young person should never be underestimated.  This poem by ‘John’ was presented to his befriender at the end of their match in September 2019.  Only the names have been changed.

Robina’s Story - Great Oaks and Little Acorns An intergenerational collaboration between Time to Talk Befriending and Bee in the Woods Forest School in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex

1 Year on from the launch of the Loneliness Strategy, a new £2 million fund is being opened to help organisations at the frontline of tackling loneliness across the country, Minister for Civil Society Baroness Barran announce

Last October, ‘A Connected Society: Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation’ was launched as the Loneliness Strategy for England. Find out about progress one year on.