This is where Befriended began in 2017, with a group of incredible volunteers who gave up an hour each week to visit an elderly, lonely person and spend time with them chatting and getting to know them. Some of our volunteers take their Befriendee’s out to the local garden centre or just to the park. We are keen to match our Befriendee’s with Befriender’s who have similar interests or hobbies so that they have something in common and something to talk about right from the get-go. 

In 2020 when suddenly we were unable to let our volunteers visit our clients, we switched to Telephone Befriending and had an influx of both volunteers and referrals. These weekly (or sometimes more regularly) phone calls have been a lifeline for the elderly and lonely across Mid-Sussex, when they have gone weeks without seeing or speaking to anyone. 

Befriended Balance

Befriended Balance will start again on April 17th.  The classes are suitable for everyone of any ability so if you want to come and enjoy some exercise with friendly people pop along on Wednesday afternoon at 1330.  We look forward to seeing you.  

Please use the link below to register for Befriended Balance

https://zfrmz.eu/OOTiWNxTLN2VrpzDnhML

At the other end of the generations, in 2020, children and young people were thrown into a world of home-schooling and being kept away from their friends. We created a resource to encourage children and young people to engage with the older generations by writing letters, sending pictures or just telling them what they’d been getting up to. We would love to continue sending letters and pictures to our clients as this always puts a smile on their faces, feel free to download the pack below and get your kids involved! 

Befriended Monthly Tea Party

Sunday 7th May 2023

Come and join us as we enthusiastically enjoy a fantastic afternoon of food entertainment friendship and fun.  

Our current project, Befriended Blankets, is in response to the large number of clients who have expressed their fear to us of heating their homes in this cost-of-living crisis. Our aim is to give away 1,000 blankets this Winter! See more about this on our front page.

Our fabulous blankets are super soft, very warm, and luxurious as well as being huge! Every blanket is embroidered… with love from Befriended, to remind our clients we are there for them in spirit if not in person. They really are the perfect blanket to snuggle up with on a cold winter’s day.

Sponsor a Blanket

Befriended Bereavement Support– Our new Bereavement Journey course starts on June 1st. The course is 5 weeks long and welcoming to people of all faiths on none. This is a safe, friendly space you can open up and chat about your loss without judgement or worry. If you or someone you know would benefit from attending please do let them know or contact us for more details.

We are all emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual beings.  Often later in life especially when we spend a lot of time on our own we think more about our spiritual beings.  Access to church can often be difficult so Befriended offers a chaplaincy service that brings ‘church’ to you.  This can range from a simple communion, prayers, a service, or a bible study. Contact Gail@befriended.org for more information.

Sometimes Befriended isn’t the right place for some people and we are unable to support or cater to the needs of an individual. Or if someone’s needs change over time, rather than just stopping providing a service to them or not taking them on as a client, we are working with other organisations and partners that may support them better. In these cases, we would love to signpost individuals or their families to another organisation that may be more beneficial to them.