We're celebrating Befriending Week 1-7 November!

Every November, befriending services and supporters from across the UK and beyond come together to recognise befriending and the positive impact it has in our communities. This year marks the 12th Befriending Week and we are so excited to celebrate with Hertfordshire Volunteer Managers and Befrienders!

But what is Befriending?

Here's what the Befriending Network say:

Befriending is a relationship supported by an organisation to enable meaningful connections.

It is a planned social interaction which can take place in a 1:1 or small group settings. Befriending might be:

• Face-to-face befriending, taking place in the home or community.
• Distance befriending, including telephone and video calls, letter writing, and gaming.

Befriending can be diverse in its delivery but shares a common goal of enabling meaningful connections. This connection can be between people with shared or different life experiences.

Befriending will achieve positive outcomes and prevent negative ones, for individuals and communities. Befriending reduces loneliness and social isolation by increasing connections.

The befriending relationship has boundaries. This begins with an organisation matching individuals together and then providing ongoing support to both befriender and service user. The befriending relationship will be monitored by the organisation and supported at all stages, including managing the ending.

The befriending relationship is nurturing, enriching, and trusting.

Befriending is predominantly provided by trained and supported volunteer befrienders. Befriending Networks estimate that in 2024 over 85,000 people have been supported by nearly 30,000 befrienders. These befrienders give well over 1 million befriending hours a year, making an enormous difference in people's lives.

A huge 'THANK YOU!' to these amazing volunteers!

“We know that befriending changes lives and strengthens communities. We hear of life changing stories of human connection, made possible by dedicated volunteers, compassionate coordinators, and resilient befriending services. Befriending benefits the health and wellbeing of individuals, increases social connection, and adds value to people’s lives.” – Susan Hunter, CEO, Befriending Networks

Could you be a befriender?

Are you…

Interested in other people? A good listener? Reliable? Able to give a small amount of time regularly?

If this is you, befriending could provide you with friendship, access to a range of different activities, increased self-confidence and even a new direction in life!

Discover opportunities to become a befriender at the link below.