The Befriending Service

The aim of the service is to improve the individual choices and quality of life of vulnerable people by offering friendship and support to isolated and mostly older people living in the local community.

We have a team of dedicated volunteers who visit clients each week for an hour or more for a chat, to accompany them for a walk, or maybe go shopping with them, or take them for a short drive. Knowing that someone is going to call once a week for company and conversation, gives many people something to look forward.

We also have drivers who take clients to a luncheon club twice each week and sometimes to doctors or hospital appointments, or even to visit a relatives grave at a cemetery. For someone without family support, having a befriender to accompany them relieves some of the stress involved and gives them confidence and peace of mind.

We are always looking to recruit more befriending volunteers.

If you can spare an hour or two a week to make a difference to someones week by providing friendship and company to older, lonely and vulnerable people living at home, or provide transport, we would love to hear from you.

Feedback from some of our clients:

My befriender is absolutely delightful. I know I can speak to her in confidence and since my stroke my speech has improved greatly from her patient listening and encouragement. It is comforting to know she will be visiting me each week and I look forward to it

The service is very good. My befriender is lovely, no one could be more helpful or obliging

The service is excellent. It adds something to my day to have someone to come and spend time chatting to me each week. She listens and tells me about her family

It means a lot to have a familiar driver to take me to the luncheon club. I trust them implicitly and I would not be able to go otherwise

All volunteers will provide character references and will be Criminal Records Bureau checked.

If you would like to become a client of our service or be considered as a befriender please contact the Co-ordinator Sue Elcock by telephone on 0151 625 6078 or email sue.elcock@vcawirral.org.uk