Befrienders Wanted
Make a Difference. Become a Befriender.
Dear Community Members,
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to share an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those within our community through our befriending service, which is an integral part of our volunteer programme.
Our befriending service offers both group and one-on-one companionship to individuals who may be feeling isolated, lonely, or facing the challenges of advancing illness. In partnership with Highland Hospice, we provide essential training for our volunteers (now done in-house) ensuring they are well-equipped to support our befriendees.
As a befriender, you will visit a befriendee at an agreed-upon time and place, often in their home. Your role will be to provide companionship and social support, offering a listening ear, engaging in games, assisting with hobbies, or even encouraging outings to a café or a local club. Importantly, this is not a caring service; we do not expect our volunteers to provide personal care or household tasks.
We are currently experiencing an increase in the number of befriendees seeking support, and we would love to welcome new volunteers to join our team. While we encourage anyone interested to reach out, we are particularly eager to hear from men, as we have several gentlemen on our waiting list who would greatly benefit from having a male befriender.
If you are interested in training as a befriender, would like more information, or know someone who could benefit from our befriending service, please don’t hesitate to contact me at volunteering@galeteam.co.uk.
Together, we can combat loneliness and foster connections within our community. Thank you for considering this rewarding opportunity.
Warm regards,
Donna Miller
Volunteer Programme Co-ordinator