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e: Philippa.potter1@nhs.net

t: 01732 240794

Free Befriending Service

Friendly Support for Clients and Carers

At Enabling Care For You, we understand that loneliness and isolation can affect anyone. A friendly conversation, a familiar voice and regular contact can make a real difference.
Our free befriending service is available to our clients and to family or unpaid carers who may benefit from companionship, reassurance and someone to talk to.

What Is the Befriending Service?

The service provides regular, friendly contact from a member of our team or an approved volunteer.

This may include:

  • A friendly telephone call
  • ⁠A relaxed chat over a cup of tea
  • Companionship and emotional reassurance
  • Listening without judgement
  • Encouragement to maintain interests and social connections
  • Checking how someone is feeling
  • Helping clients and carers feel less alone

The service is informal, supportive and completely free of charge.

Who Can Use the Service?

The befriending service is available to:

  • ⁠Clients receiving support from Enabling Care For You
  • ⁠Family members who care for a loved one
  • Unpaid carers who may feel isolated or overwhelmed
  • Clients who live alone or have limited contact with others
  • Anyone connected to our service who would benefit from regular friendly contact

You do not need to be experiencing a crisis to use the service. Sometimes it simply helps to know that somebody will call, listen and take an interest.

Support for Family and Unpaid Carers

Caring for another person can be rewarding, but it can also be tiring and lonely. Carers often spend so much time looking after someone else that their own wellbeing is overlooked. Our befriending service provides a safe and friendly opportunity to talk, share how things are going and feel supported.
Although our befrienders cannot provide professional counselling or medical advice, they can offer a listening ear and help carers feel less isolated.

How Often Will Contact Take Place?

Contact can be arranged depending on individual needs and availability.

This may be:

  • Weekly
  • Fortnightly
  • ⁠By telephone
  • ⁠In person, where appropriate
  • For a short period or on an ongoing basis

We will discuss what would be most helpful and agree a suitable arrangement.

A Safe and Respectful Service

All contact will be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. Appropriate checks, confidentiality requirements and safeguarding procedures will be followed. Any concerns regarding a person’s safety or wellbeing may need to be shared with the appropriate person or professional. The befriending service does not replace commissioned care visits, emergency support, medical assistance or professional mental health services. If there is an immediate risk to life or a medical emergency, please call 999.

Refer Yourself or Someone Else

You can contact our office to:

  • Refer yourself
  • ⁠Refer a client or family carer
  • Ask for further information
  • Discuss what type of contact may be most suitable
  • Volunteer to support the befriending service

Please contact Enabling Care For You and ask about our Free Befriending Service.

No One Should Feel Alone

Sometimes the smallest things make the greatest difference: a conversation, a laugh, a listening ear or simply knowing that someone cares. Our free befriending service is here to help our clients and carers feel connected, valued and supported.

What people say ...

We are extremely proud of the service which we provide to individuals and would like to share with you a selection of testimonials we have received from them.

"My mother became extremely ill after a long illness and was on end-of-life care. The family was struggling to cope with Mum's needs and we needed two people to help Mum with her personal care. I cannot fault the service provided. The carers treated my mother with compassion and respected her dignity.

They offered advice and support throughout. I could ring the office at any time if I needed to talk to someone. We couldn't have coped without them. Thank you."

5
Karen B daughter of client

"The carers from this agency were kind and professional. They looked after me after a serious injury and helped me over a number or months to regain my mobility. Having previously had care from a very poor agency I am very grateful to have found Enabling Care For You."

5
KM private client

"The care staff looking after my very elderly mum-in-law were so friendly, gentle, and professional. They always spoke with respect and kindness to her and really gave us the support we needed to help us fulfil her wishes to pass away at home with family."

5
C R daughter-in-law of client

"We thank you all for your consideration and thoughtfulness while you were caring for our beautiful mum. You were gentle, thorough, and talked to us, helping us understand situations while they progressed. You had some banter too, which helped as my mum loved to laugh. We are all very grateful for all your help and support through the saddest time of our lives."

5
Deborah W daughter of client

"Personal care is a very personal thing, Enabling Care understand that and everyone who comes to me has become a real friend I can trust. They work with me to maintain my dignity and manage my care to suit me not them. The team really care about the person I never feel like I am a job they have to get done. Thank you very much for letting me remain a proud human and not a task to process it means a lot to me."

5
S Reeves Private Client