SDAMH Adult Befriending Service

Who Do Befrienders Help?
Many people experience mental ill health or related problems at some time during their lives. People who use the Service will be:-

• going through or recovering from mental illness
• may be lacking confidence when meeting new people or visiting new places
• getting used to living in the community
• simply lonely or isolated

Some people need a befriender for a short period of time, others for longer.

How Do Befrienders Help?
Volunteer befrienders offer a one-to-one supportive formal friendship for up to a maximum of two years. This can include:-

• listening, understanding, just `being there'.
• sharing leisure time activities, sport, coffee, shopping, social events.
• trying out community resources.
• having fun!

Befrienders aim to relieve loneliness, increase confidence and self esteem and build a trusting formal friendship.

Who Are Befrienders?
Befrienders are men and women of all ages and from all walks of life who can give a couple of hours a week of their time. No previous experience or qualifications are required.
The qualities we look for are:-

• commitment
• a genuine interest in people
• common sense
• tolerance
• a good listener
• sensitivity
• warmth and understanding
• a sense of humour

Volunteers attend an Initial Training Course (16 hours in total), and undergo an Enhanced Disclosure Check and provide two references before being matched.

Monthly support and regular training is provided throughout the friendship by staff on any aspect arising from Befriending.

Befrienders travel costs and expenses are re-imbursed. Befriendees pay their own way.

If you are interested in Volunteering please contact us for an informal chat.

Making Friends - The Matching Process

• The Service staff will get to know all Volunteers and people who wish Befrienders.
• The Service has a policy of only matching people with a befriender of the same gender, i.e. male/male, female/female.
• A variety of factors are considered in the matching process - e.g. interests, hobbies etc.
• After introduction, staff keep in contact with people who use the Service.
• Both Volunteers and people who use the Service are encouraged to contact staff at any time if any problems or difficulties should arise.

How To Be Referred To The Befriending Service

• Criteria for Referral:- you must be aged between 18-65
• Have contact with a Psychiatrist, live in the Stirling Council Area and be socially isolated.
• Discuss your referral with CPN, Social Worker, Residential or Medical Staff and ask them to refer you (Self referrals are not accepted).
• The person requiring the Service and the Agency worker must complete the Befriending Application Form together and both sign it.
• The information shared helps the matching process.
• Once the Referral is received a member of staff will visit, to explain the Service in detail after discussing the referral with the referrer.

Or:
Telephone: 01786 451203
Email: info@stirlingmentalhealth.org.uk

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