The Kirklees Befriending Scheme is part of St. Anne's Community Services and supports referred clients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties who may be isolated and in need of some social support. We are a small team of two Befriending Co-ordinators who provide support to volunteers who join the service as befrienders to our clients.

Have you got an interest in mental health and want to make a positive difference to someone's wellbeing?

Can you spare a couple of hours a fortnight?

What is a Befriender?

A befriender is someone who can provide a caring, encouraging and non-judgemental approach to supporting people improve their mental health. This includes providing social and emotional support through activities such as going for a walk, having a coffee, visiting someone in their home or supporting them to attend an activity/ group.

What does the role involve?

Generally, befrienders will provide face-to-face support to their client once a fortnight for a couple of hours. We ask for volunteers who can commit on a longer-term basis of 6 - 12 months as our clients set goals when they are first assessed through the service, these can be as small or large as they would like to aim for. Some clients may achieve their goals within a few months but for other clients, it may take around 6 - 12 months.

Who can be a befriender?

We welcome befrienders from all backgrounds who are over the age of 18 and are willing to support an individual residing in the Kirklees area.

How do I become a befriender?

To become a befriender, you will firstly need to complete an application form and provide 2 references. Following this, we will invite you to meet us for an informal interview which is a great opportunity for you to find out more about us. As the role will require you to work with adults at risk, we will then carry out a free of charge Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Once the DBS has been completed, we will invite you to complete induction training so you feel confident in your role as a befriender.

What support will I receive?

As well as induction training, you will have access to other training relevant to your role as a befriender. You will also have regular supervisions and ongoing support from your Befriending Coordinator.

Will it cost me anything?

The only thing it will cost you is your time! All we ask is that you commit to a couple of hours once a fortnight and in return we will reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses, i.e.travel.

Benefits of becoming a Befriender:

• Flexible befriending hours between Mon - Fri.
• Careful matching process - we match our clients and volunteers based on factors such as location, interests and hobbies.
• Regular supervisions and ongoing support from a designated Befriending Coordinator
• Access to other training relevant to the role
• Out-of-pocket expenses, e.g. cost of travel, drink as part of a meet up with a client.
• Opportunity to references after 6 months of being a befriender.

18 yrs and above

• Application form required
• References required
• DBS (criminal record check that the organisation will organise)