CREST Waltham Forest

MENTAL HEALTH BEFRIENDING SERVICE

WHAT IS BEFRIENDING?

The aim of befriending is to offer support in the community to adults (18 and above) who are experiencing mental and or emotional distress. Following, or during, a period of mental ill health, people can experience loss of self-esteem, confidence and purpose as well as a loss of contact with friends, family and the wider community. Although they may have assistance from professional agencies or services, they may well lack any avenue through which to make social and other contacts and to ease their sense of isolation. In situations such as these, the Befriending Service can introduce a volunteer who will provide much-needed human contact.

WHAT DOES THE SUNSHINE CLUB PROVIDE?

In brief, a safe environment on a Saturday afternoon where users can meet others and socialise, develop social skills, play games, take part in outings. Here they will be looked after by a team of staff and volunteers. A wholesome cooked lunch is provided each week at a small cost. It is based at the modern, comfortable Ferguson Centre in West Walthamstow. Volunteers for the Sunshine Club commit to a Saturday afternoon, to help out staff, socialise with users etc. It provides a great way to make a very real difference to very many people within a supportive team environment.

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING INVOLVE?

All you need is an interest in becoming a volunteer and working with someone who has mental ill health and would benefit from your company and time. We welcome applications from indiviudals who either have, or have experienced, mental or emotional ill health. However, you do not need any experience of mental ill health to become a volunteer. Volunteers are welcome to become either befrienders or to work in the drop-in. Befrienders normally meet with the person they befriend (‘friend’) for between one and two hours a week. Their role is primarily that of being with their ‘friend’, listening, accompanying them out to a local café, to a cinema, or to other local facilities. Here there are opportunities for social contact and perhaps the development of a social network and of friendships other than the befriender. If the volunteer is available, they might accompany their ‘friend’ to a particular meeting, providing company, moral support, an added ‘ear’ and perhaps an added voice, if that is requested. The volunteer will always work at a pace set by the person they have befriended and will be non-directive as opposed to directive.

Befrienders receive training prior to being accepted as active volunteers. Both the volunteer and the person receiving the service are asked to complete an agreement regarding the boundaries of the service, which include mutual respect, times of meetings and an indication of the regularity of those meetings. Volunteers are instructed not to give out their telephone numbers or other personal details. Volunteers are also expected to come to support meetings regularly. The confidentiality agreement is three-way – between the service user, the volunteer and the service – and this is explained to all parties both individually and together. There is no upper limit to those using our service and we welcome applications from potential volunteers of all ages. We will ask you to complete an application form and invite you in to talk about volunteering. If you decide to go ahead, we will invite you for training and we will make a CRB check and take up references. We will also invite you to spend some time in our mental health drop-in to gain experience whilst training. On completion of training, a certificate is provided. Support is provided once you are matched with someone requesting a service.