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Befriending is a safe way for an older person to find 'friendship'. Befriending schemes act as a bridge between older people and other members of the community to bring them together. Older people who are feeling lonely can really benefit from befriending which may be especially helpful during hard times such as following a bereavement or after the onset of sensory loss, disability and dementia.
An older person can join a scheme to receive visits or telephone calls from a trained volunteer. Someone who wishes to help can join a scheme, receive training as a volunteer befriender and then begin to visit or call an older person on a regular basis. The scheme coordinator supports both the older person and the volunteer throughout the relationship.
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This is a national helpline
This information was supplied by Serco Global Services on 1 April 2025.