Our befriending service is looking for new volunteers

We are looking for new volunteers to join our befriending service, Community Companions.

We are looking for volunteers who can spend one hour per week befriending an individual over the phone or meeting face-to-face outdoors for a walk and a chat to help their loneliness and reduce their social isolation. 

Volunteers receive training and then make regular visits or phone calls to an individual aged 18+ who is lonely. You will be offering one-to-one support, building their confidence and encouraging them to access local community activities and make new friendships.

Volunteer befriender Marie said: “Over the last year I began noticing how isolation was affecting people, with limited social experiences and interactions and the reduction of face-to-face support, especially within mental health. This made me think about how I could help someone to hopefully feel that little bit better.  

“I approached Mind in Bradford and became a volunteer. I was matched with someone who I now contact weekly. Some weeks I’m just listening, some weeks I’m offering encouragement and best of all some weeks we spend the time laughing! 

Each week I feel a sense of achievement that I took a small part of my day to be there for someone else.

If you can give one hour a week to support someone in our community, we would really like to hear from you. Visit our Community Companions page for more information and to apply.

Posted on: 15th June 2021