What is Befriending with Healthy Friendships?
Befriending is a relationship between a Volunteer and a recipient; initiated, supported and monitored by us.
The Befriending relationship aims to be:
Non stigmatising to those enduring mental distress.
Empowering to the individual to explore ways or broadening their social network.
Dedicated Service to our members.
We offer a unique one to one Befriending scheme to help people to enhance their lives and fulfill their own objectives.
Confidence gained through initial Befriender contact; hopefully then gradually increases their social contact through experiencing new hobbies and spending time with other members in due course on group leisure outings and events.
Types of Befriending Available:
A long-term supportive relationship with one individual allowing trust, support and friendship to emerge so that a wider range of activities can be undertaken.
A short-term relationship to assist the participant to make initial contacts with the help of a supporter to give them the confidence to continue alone.
A one off ‘quick access’ for immediate issues., Befriending is a service
Making a Referral to Us for Befriending Membership.
We welcome self referrals and referrals from those that may be a relative of, or professionally work, with anyone enduring mental distress who may benefit from our scheme.
Quality Lifestyle and Cultural Enrichment.
Adult mental health blights older people who have often devoted their life to work, raising children and contributing to society.
Healthy Friendships offers them the support and friendship they need. The consequences of mental distress often impacts on peoples physical health; the effects of medication, depression and loss of self confidence and self esteem can lead to detrimental physical health problems.
Healthy Friendships helps people improve quality of life; restore self confidence and esteem whilst members make new friends. The prejudices of mental health are challenged by our scheme and members are encouraged to participate in activities and are regularly invited to contribute to new ideas for new activities. We also offer support to carers and those who endure mental distress as well as older people who live alone.
Recent Big Lottery funding offers us further opportunities to support even more individuals with an extension of our services into neighbouring counties. This funding allows a focus primarily on people over 50; but this is not exclusive and membership will be offered to any adult over the age of 18 who is in need of our service; and we of course welcome both volunteers and members from minority groups.
We believe that people benefit from an improved emotional wellbeing through learning and the opportunity to engage with other adults and are able to take advantage of group visits to sites of history, culture such as National Trust properties, museums and art galleries
We are an organisation that is always responsive to the needs of our Members. We invest much time and effort identifying our Members needs and involving them in the decision making process. We believe that only by assimilating our Members ideas, views and desires into our operational objectives, can we continue to be the successful organisation that we are.
Members are invited to join in:
· Coffee Mornings
· Craft Groups such as Crafty Friends
· Cinema Visits
· Pub Quizzes
· Shopping
· Swimming
· Cultural Outings & Trips
· Members have the opportunity to:
Improve Communication Skills
Attend Keeping Safe, Awareness & Assertiveness Courses