Working for you for a better community
The aim
of the service is to provide companionship and social contact to older people
either living alone in their own home or who live in care homes and have
either no or few visitors.
What is befriending?
The befriending service involves matching older people who live alone with
a volunteer who undertakes to give a minimum of 1 hour a week to the friendship.
There is no cost for this service.
What benefit is such a friendship?
Through the friendship and support offered by the volunteer befriender,
many older people have benefited from an improved quality of life and increased
social input.
Who are our volunteers?
Volunteers are members of the public who have offered their time to WiSE.
People of all ages from all walks of life become volunteers. What they have
in common is a liking and respect for older people and a willingness to
make a long term commitment. Volunteers are carefully selected and references
taken up, and all are supported by WiSE.
How does this service work?
We try to make sure that the befriender lives near to the older person and
that they have similar interests. Volunteers are introduced to the older
person by the organiser.
What will we do together?
This will depend on the interests of yourself and the volunteer. As in all
friendships both people come to an agreement as to what activities they
want to do.
How do I become a Befriender?
Contact Linda Dixon: WiSE Volunteer Co-ordinator On Wetherby 01937 588994
who will meet with you to talk about befriending.