Befriending returns to North Tyneside
Published on 26 July 2024 12:02 PM
Age UK North Tyneside's Befriending service is back by popular demand.
After a brief hiatus, Age UK North Tyneside's Befriending service is returning to support older people in the borough. Demmi Robinson has recently joined Age UK North Tyneside as our new Befriending Coordinator and is keen to make an impact.
Demmi said, "Age UK North Tyneside's Befriending service is a lifeline for many older people in our area. As we get older, many of us start to experience loneliness more often. Loneliness can have a huge impact on a person's mental health, which is why we have the goal of ending loneliness in North Tyneside.
"Our Befriending service helps achieve this by matching older people in North Tyneside with a friendly volunteer. The volunteer will visit or call each week and begin to build a real friendship. Our Befriending service has been a huge success in the past, with many of our customers and volunteers going on to build lasting friendships that have continued outside of our service.
"I am so excited to be relaunching the service and can't wait to see the impact we have."
Befriending in North Tyneside
Our Befriending service offers vital emotional support to vulnerable or isolated adults over 50. Customers can access the service through self-referral, or by a family member or professional by completing a referral form. They will then be matched with a friendly, trained volunteer befriender who visits or calls them every week for at least six months. The arrangement is based on friendship, and no payment is involved.
We match volunteers to customers based on shared interests and provide a safe and mutually beneficial relationship. The idea is that the befriender will get as much out of the relationship as the befriendee. Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, experiences, and ages, ensuring a diverse volunteer base. They work holistically to support the customer's independence, establish social connections, reduce isolation, and support their physical and social wellbeing.
Customers and volunteers are supported by our Befriending Coordinator, Demmi Robinson, for 12 months. After this period and a positive relationship has been established, on agreement they will leave the service and continue their long-term friendship. Demmi will regularly check in with customers completing phone support and home visits to ensure they are satisfied with the service, offering support, advice, and signposting when required.
To find out more about our Befriending service, click here.
Volunteer as a Befriender
Volunteering as a Befriender can be a rewarding way to make a difference while creating a lasting friendship. You can volunteer for face-to-face befriending where you will visit a customer in their home, or telephone befriending where you will call a customer on a regular basis.
If you think you have what it takes to become a Volunteer Befriender, call us on 0191 287 7011 or email Volunteer@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk.