The purpose of the in-person befriending project is to reduce social isolation and increase mental and physical wellbeing for groups most impacted by health inequalities. Socially isolated people have poorer health outcomes, are more likely to suffer depression and less likely to be physically active.
The service run by BEfriend will support 130 vulnerable adults experiencing prolonged and chronic loneliness/social isolation, including people with frailty, physical illness, a long-term condition, dementia and/or a mental health condition.
Volunteer befrienders will visit service users weekly in their homes and take them to community activities.
The goal of the project is to reduce social isolation and improve mental and physical wellbeing in groups most impacted by health inequalities. The project will offer:
- Core befriending (80 people per year) – for adults who are lonely and isolated without regular social support. Trained befrienders will visit weekly and either stay in or go out somewhere together. Visits are usually 2-3 hours a week and residents are supported for as long as they need it. Support could include attending community activities and accompanying to health appointments.
- Intensive mental health befriending (50 people per year) - for adults who would benefit from a more assertive offer to recover, including people with a mental health condition. Weekly befriending is offered for one year, and volunteers support the clients to re-engage with the community. Clients and volunteers aim to go out together and join in community activities where they can gain confidence and learn skills. After 6 months of support, residents will be encouraged to attend a monthly peer support group where they can meet other service users and discuss strategies to help their recovery.
The project is expected to:
- Recruit 100 volunteers. (35 have already been recruited - November 2023)
- Improve mental health and wellbeing, and reduce loneliness – This will be measured through service user interviews, self-reported wellbeing and loneliness tools and case studies.
- Reduce hospital admissions and attendances – This will be measured using aggregated and anonymised NHS data
- Reduce missed health appointments
- Reduce Ambulance calls – This will be measured using aggregated and anonymised NHS data
- Improve wellbeing and outcomes for volunteers – This will be measured through volunteer feedback surveys