Befriending

Evergreen's Befriending Service is a free and confidential service supporting senior citizens, weekly befriending visits encourage our clients to make the most of their life experience into old age.

Our befriending service works to build and develop relationships that will prove mutually enriching and worthwhile. All our befriending relationships are unique and individual. For some, it can be having a cuppa, a cake and a chat. For others, it may be a walk around the local area or park or a visit to a café or a garden centre. Sometimes it may be sharing a fun activity like a jigsaw puzzle, a game of cards, or enjoying music together.

If you, or someone you know would like a befriender you need to: be over 60 years old, be willing to have an assessment; be living in a safe environment; not be living in residential care; be lonely or isolated; be able to enjoy or benefit from a 2 way relationship, not have another befriender from another organisation.

We carefully match our clients with their befriending volunteer, based on similar hobbies, interests and values and a Friendship Coordinator will attend the initial introduction.

All Evergreen volunteers go through a robust recruitment process, which includes references, a DBS check, an informal interview and induction training. We also offer regular social events that clients and befrienders can attend either separately or together.