Befriending - Faversham & Sittingbourne
- Location: The Old Fire Station
- Price: Free
Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Kent Rivers - Head Office's catchment area.
The Old Fire Station
Crescent Road
Faversham
ME13 7GU
United Kingdom
Email: reception@ageukfs.org.uk
Telephone: 01795 532766
Age UK Kent Rivers' Befriending Service provides companionship to older people aged 50 and above who are experiencing isolation or loneliness. We recognise the value and benefit of regular social interaction and friendship in later life, and our Befrienders will spend quality time with the person, creating a long-lasting friendship.
What is Befriending?
The Befriending service is a free service that is provided by fully trained and vetted volunteers, who are carefully matched to ensure that we connect people with similar interests, providing older people with a long-term companion to spend quality time with, chatting about life and becoming not just a familiar face, but a friend.
Our volunteer Befrienders will spend 1-3 hours a week together with an older person in their home, perhaps for a cup of tea and a chat, or accompanying them to an activity (such as a trip to a cafe or the theatre).
The main aims of the service are to:
✓ Reduce social isolation
✓ Build confidence
✓ Maintain independence
✓ Enhance wellbeing
✓ Assist with engaging with the community.
There are some things that a befriending volunteer is not able to do. For instance, they will not be able to help with personal care, go shopping on your behalf, do housework, gardening or maintenance, give counselling or guidance.
Why is Befriending so important?
We recognise the value and benefit of regular social interaction and friendship in later life. People aged 50 and over are more likely to be lonely if they do not have someone to open up to, are widowed, are in poor health, are unable to do the things they want, feel that they do not belong in their neighbourhood, or live alone.
Did you know?
o 3.6 million older people in the UK live alone, of whom 2 million are aged 75+
o 1.9 million older people often feel ignored or invisible
o Loneliness can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Our befrienders offer a kind, patient listening ear and may also be able to provide details of other services that may be helpful. Befriending can be an essential link between someone and the outside world. Each befriender and their “friend” might enjoy a cuppa together or perhaps play a game, do puzzles, swap stories and hopefully enjoy some laughs. We hope this will always be an hour a week to look forward to!
Who is elibible?
To qualify for our Befriending service, the person being referred must be aged 50 and over, and living in the Sittingbourne, Teynham, Faversham areas (post codes ME9 / ME10 / ME13).
We regret we cannot accept referrals for individuals already living in a care home.
Our aim is to assess every referral individually for suitability. We regret that in some circumstances a person's needs may exceed the support available from our service, in these cases we will endeavour to provide information on suitable support.
Whilst we welcome referrals for anyone who meets the above criteria, Priority will be given to clients who:
o Live alone
o Have little or no friends visiting on a regular basis
o Have no family close by
o Do not attend other activities, e.g. day centres, community classes, etc.
Anyone can make a referral, however we will need to make sure that we have the older person's consent to continue with the application.
What is the cost?
Our Befriending service is free of charge and is run by our fantastic volunteering community. We always appreciate a donation, however big or small, and you can donate here (click the link below).