What is Befriending?
Are you…
Interested in other people? A good listener? Reliable? Able to give a few hours each week?
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!
Befriending offers a supportive, reliable relationship by connecting a volunteer befriender to individuals who are socially isolated. There are befriending projects around Hertfordshire that provide effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, those with learning disabilities and older people. Befriending can also help reduce the burden on statutory services which people may mistakenly use as they seek social contact.
Organisations will provide training to prepare you for your befriending role and any expenses will be covered by the charity you volunteer for. Previous experience is not necessary, who you are and how you can support those in in isolation is what counts.
Interested? View our current roles below.
Befriending roles in Hertfordshire
Apply today
Long term role · Flexible hours
Hitchin
Befriending Volunteer - Ickleford
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Hitchin
Befriending Volunteer - Great Offley
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Ware
Befriending Volunteer - Stanstead Abbotts
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Ware
Befriending Volunteer - Stanstead Abbotts
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Hertford
Befriending Volunteer - Hertford
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Bragbury End
Befriending Volunteer - Bragbury End
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Hitchin
Befriending Volunteer - Hitchin
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Watford
Befriending Volunteer - Garston and North Watford
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Royston
Befriending Volunteer - Royston
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Stevenage
Befriending Volunteer - Stevenage
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireSep
18
Community · 18 Sept, 10:00 - 15:00
Hitchin
Reach Out and North Herts Community Transport Recruitment Event
Recruitment event by Reach Out and Community Transport, projects under North Herts & Stevenage CVS.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Long term role · 3—5 hrs/Week
Flexible location
Area Convenors
Area Conveners play a key role in supporting volunteers, developing local activities for refugees.
Posted by Herts Welcomes RefugeesLong term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Broxbourne
Listening and advice volunteers
Offer a listening ear to refugees and asylum seekers at one of our weekly drop-in hubs.
Posted by Herts Welcomes RefugeesLong term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Welwyn Garden City
Listening and advice volunteers
Offer a listening ear to refugees and asylum seekers at one of our weekly drop-in hubs.
Posted by Herts Welcomes RefugeesLong term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Hatfield
Listening and advice volunteers
Offer a listening ear to refugees and asylum seekers at one of our weekly drop-in hubs.
Posted by Herts Welcomes RefugeesLong term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Broxbourne
ESOL teachers and English conversation volunteers
Deliver English classes to small groups of refugees and asylum seekers at a weekly drop-in hub
Posted by Herts Welcomes RefugeesLong term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Hatfield
ESOL teachers and English conversation volunteers
Deliver English classes to small groups of refugees and asylum seekers at a weekly drop-in hub
Posted by Herts Welcomes Refugees
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week · For around 5 months
Welwyn Garden City
Community Cafe helper
Our friendly Cafe is looking for a helper, between 09.30 and 11.30 on Monday mornings in September.
Posted by United reformed church Welwyn Garden city
Long term role · 4—6 hrs/month
Sawbridgeworth
Share a Few Hours a Month, Make a Lifelong Difference
We're looking for a male volunteer in the Sawbridgeworth area to become an Independent Visitor (IV) for a young person. You must be over 18 to apply.
Posted by Independent Visitor Service - Essex County Council
Long term role · 1—2 hrs/Week · Starting from 4 Jan 2024
St Albans
Volunteer Mentor
COULD YOU HELP TO CHANGE A YOUNG PERSONS LIFE? We need volunteers like you to support someone aged 11-25 by offering 121 mentoring.
Posted by Caudwell Youth
Long term role · Flexible hours
Hemel Hempstead
School minibus driver and pupil support
Driving children to come to/from school and for trips. Our families sometimes struggle so this is designed to help. We have a new minibus! Can also be paid.
Posted by Haywood Grove Specialist School
Long term role · Flexible hours
Borehamwood
Volunteer Befriender - Borehamwood
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Bushey
Volunteer Befriender - Bushey
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · 3—4 hrs/Week
Volunteer engaging with parents and pre-school children with additional needs
Be part of a small caring community/team to support parents through encouraging conversations and children through gentle, creative and interactive play.
Posted by daisychainsLong term role · Flexible hours · Starting from 30 Apr 2026
Welwyn Garden City
Helper for over 55's Thursday Club
I am looking for some help with an over 55's social club we run, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, between 2 and 4 pm.
Posted by United reformed church Welwyn Garden city
Long term role · Flexible hours
Bishop's Stortford
Volunteer tea party host
As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests and other volunteers
Posted by re-engageLong term role · 2—6 hrs/month
Letchworth Garden City
Tea party co-ordinator
As a tea party group coordinator, you’ll plan, organise and schedule monthly tea parties in your local area.
Posted by re-engageLong term role · Flexible hours
Royston
Volunteer tea party host
As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests and other volunteers
Posted by re-engageLong term role · Flexible hours
Stevenage
Volunteer tea party host
As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests and other volunteers
Posted by re-engageLong term role · Flexible hours
St Albans
Volunteer tea party host
As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests and other volunteers
Posted by re-engageLong term role · Flexible hours
Letchworth Garden City
Volunteer tea party host
As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests and other volunteers
Posted by re-engageLong term role · Flexible hours
Hoddesdon
Volunteer tea party host
As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests and other volunteers
Posted by re-engage
Long term role · Flexible hours
Waltham Cross
Volunteer Befriender - Flamstead End
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Volunteer Befriender - Wormley & Turnford
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Welwyn
Volunteer Befriender -Welwyn & Hatfield
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Radlett
Volunteer Befriender - Radlett
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
St Albans
Volunteer Befriender - Bricket Wood
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Hertford
DIY Volunteer
Mudlarks are looking for highly skilled, handy-people to lead on DIY projects at our sites in all weather conditions. Open to regular volunteering or ad-hoc.
Posted by The Mudlarks Community
Long term role · 1 hrs/Week
From home
Listening Volunteer
Listening Volunteers provide ongoing, 1-1 listening support to people in distress with an autoimmune disease.
Posted by The Wren Project
Long term role · Flexible hours · Starting from 23 Mar 2026
Friends (support, volunteering, fundraising)
Our Friends of Fleetville group is looking for new volunteers to support fundraising and community events.
Posted by Fleetville Community Centre
Long term role · 1 hrs/Week
Tring
Telephone Befriender (Tring)
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by telephoning them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · 1 hrs/Week
Berkhamsted
Telephone Befriender (Berkhamsted)
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by telephoning them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · 1 hrs/Week
Hemel Hempstead
Telephone Befriender (Hemel Hempstead)
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by telephoning them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Potters Bar
Volunteer Befriender
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours · Starting from 26 Jan 2026
Volunteers needed support for people with disabilities SEN
Volunteer Opportunity – Jackie’s Drop-In Jackie’s Drop-In is seeking friendly, reliable volunteers to support adults and children with disabilities.
Posted by Jackie's Drop-In CentreLong term role · Flexible hours
Kings Langley
Volunteer Befriender - Kings Langley
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Berkhamsted
Volunteer Befriender - Berkhamsted
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Rickmansworth
Volunteer Befriender - Chorleywood
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Rickmansworth
Volunteer Befriender - Rickmansworth
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Flexible location
Volunteer Befriender - Garston, Herts
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Hemel Hempstead
Volunteer Befriender - Bovingdon
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Hertford
Volunteer Befriender - Hertford
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Waltham Cross
Volunteer Befriender - Cheshunt
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Waltham Cross
Volunteer Befriender - Cheshunt & Goff's Oak
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Waltham Cross
Volunteer Befriender - Waltham Cross
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Harpenden
Befriender
Help local adults with learning disabilities enjoy walks, hobbies, and social outings.
Posted by Harpenden Mencap
Long term role · 0—2 hrs/Week
Harpenden
Activities Companion
Volunteer at our fun, friendly social club on Thursdays from 7pm - 9pm. Located in Harpenden (AL5).
Posted by Harpenden Mencap
Long term role · Flexible hours
Harpenden
Volunteer Befriender - Harpenden
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Bishop's Stortford
Volunteer Befriender - Bishop's Stortford
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Waltham Cross
Volunteer Befriender - Goff's Oak
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Potters Bar
Volunteer Befriender - Cuffley
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
St Albans
Volunteer Befriender - London Colney
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Letchworth Garden City
Befriending Volunteer - Letchworth
Could you spare around an hour a week to visit an older person in your neighbourhood?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
St Albans
Volunteer Befriender - St Albans
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Watford
Volunteer Befriender - Watford
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Rickmansworth
Volunteer Befriender - Rickmansworth
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Potters Bar
Volunteer Befriender - Potters Bar
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Hatfield
Volunteer Befriender - Hatfield
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Welwyn Garden City
Volunteer Befriender - Welwyn Garden City
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Royston
Volunteer Befriender - Royston
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Ware
Volunteer Befriender - Ware
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Waltham Cross
Volunteer Befriender - Cheshunt
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours · Starting from 19 Aug 2025
Baldock
Volunteer Befriender - Baldock
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · 4—6 hrs/Week · Starting from 4 May 2025
Friday Letchworth Community Activities Volunteer
Are you a kind and caring person? Are you looking to give back to your community? Why not volunteer at Macfadyen Webb?
Posted by HILSLong term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Hertford
ESOL teachers and English conversation volunteers
Deliver English classes to small groups of refugees and asylum seekers at a weekly drop-in hub
Posted by Herts Welcomes Refugees
Long term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
From home
Telephone Befriender
Do you enjoy chatting and getting to know people? Why not become one of our Telephone Befrienders and put your skills to good use supporting a great cause!
Posted by Deafblind UK
Long term role · Flexible hours · Starting from 23 Dec 2024
Hitchin
Befriender
As a Befriender with Brainkind you will provide companionship to people during a difficult time in their lives and enable people to do the things that matter.
Posted by Brainkind
Long term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Watford
Home-Visiting Volunteer (Family Befriender)
Visiting families in their own home for 2-3 hours per week, offering friendship, practical and emotional support
Posted by Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers
Long term role · 1 hrs/Week
Welwyn Garden City
Telephone Befriender (Welwyn Garden City)
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by telephoning them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Bushey
Volunteer Befriender - Bushey
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Borehamwood
Volunteer Befriender - Borehamwood
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK HertfordshireLong term role · Flexible hours
Tring
Volunteer Befriender - Tring
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Hemel Hempstead
Volunteer Befriender - Bovingdon
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · Flexible hours
Hemel Hempstead
Volunteer Befriender - Hemel Hempstead
Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy making someone's day? Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them?
Posted by Age UK Hertfordshire
Long term role · 2—3 hrs/Week
Flexible location
Volunteer befrienders
Volunteer befrienders needed to welcome and support refugee families or individuals
Posted by Herts Welcomes Refugees
Long term role · 1—2 hrs/Week · Starting from 4 Jan 2024
Luton
Volunteer Mentor
COULD YOU HELP TO CHANGE A YOUNG PERSONS LIFE? We need volunteers like you to support someone aged 11-25 by offering 121 mentoring.
Posted by Caudwell Youth
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Bishop's Stortford
Volunteer Befriender - Bishop's Stortford
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out HertfordshireShort term role · 1—3 hrs/Week
Watford
Volunteer Befriender - Watford
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Berkhamsted
Volunteer Befriender - Berkhamsted
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Hemel Hempstead
Volunteer Befriender - Hemel Hempstead
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Tring
Volunteer Befriender - Tring
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Kings Langley
Volunteer Befriender - Kings Langley
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—3 hrs/Week
Abbots Langley
Volunteer Befriender - Abbots Langley
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Stevenage
Volunteer Befriender - Stevenage
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire
Long term role · 2—6 hrs/Week
Stevenage
Volunteer Driver
Do you like driving? Do you like helping people? Could you be a Volunteer Driver for the North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport service?
Posted by North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport ServiceLong term role · 2—6 hrs/Week
Baldock
Volunteer Driver
Do you like driving? Do you like helping people? Could you be a Volunteer Driver for the North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport service?
Posted by North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport ServiceLong term role · 2—6 hrs/Week
Letchworth Garden City
Volunteer Driver
Do you like driving? Do you like helping people? Could you be a Volunteer Driver for the North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport service?
Posted by North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport ServiceLong term role · 2—6 hrs/Week
Hitchin
Volunteer Driver
Do you like driving? Do you like helping people? Could you be a Volunteer Driver for the North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport service?
Posted by North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport Service
Short term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Royston
Volunteer Befriender Royston
We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers to visit older people in our community who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
Posted by Reach Out HertfordshireShort term role · 1—2 hrs/Week
Baldock
Volunteer Befriender - Baldock
Can you spare an hour a week to change an older person's life by visiting them? We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers who can visit our clients.
Posted by Reach Out Hertfordshire