Almost 50 socially isolated residents have been supported by the new BeFriend Service, since it launched in Hounslow in October 2023. This amazing service aims to reduce social isolation and increase mental and physical wellbeing for groups most impacted by health inequalities.
Residents currently receive either weekly visits from an in-person befriender volunteer or weekly telephone calls and range in age from 31 to 104, with have varying health needs, including dementia, mental health issues, learning, physical (including frailty) and sensory disabilities .
One frail resident with long-term anxiety about leaving their home reported that they have already achieved their goal of building up the strength and confidence to venture outdoors again, visiting the shops with their volunteer and attending the recent BEfriend tea party event in Isleworth.
BEfriend's first social event, an afternoon tea party in Isleworth was a huge success with 19 clients attending along with their volunteers. Attendees enjoyed afternoon tea and a game of bingo. For some of the residents this was their first social event in several years. New friendships were made on the day, with a couple of attendees swapping numbers. One client with mental health issues expressed how nervous he had been to attend, but said how welcoming everyone was and was grateful to the BEfriending service. Clients have already asked for more social events and a trip to Kew Gardens is being planned.
Volunteers are still needed
Volunteers are a key part of the service and recruitment is ongoing. If you or someone you know could spare 1-2 hours a week to visit someone who would not otherwise see anyone please visit https://befriend.london/volunteer/