Befriending Networks Ltd

Who we are

We are a unique national intermediary and network for Befriending organisations in the UK.  We support our members to deliver high quality professional befriending services that aim to eradicate loneliness, promote well-being, increase social connectivity and ensure everyone feels valued through knowing someone cares.

We do this by:

• providing a high standard of information, training courses, and consultancy to local and national organisations in relation to befriending
• raising the profile and understanding of befriending at local and national levels
• supporting the delivery and development of high quality befriending services including our Quality in Befriending standard award
• maintaining and expanding an effective and supportive network among our members

We established and run National Befriending Week 1-7th November each year which has gathered momentum since it started 2013 as a national celebration of befriending.

Our member organisations support people by matching them with trained and checked volunteer befrienders and maintaining a supportive relationship with both befriender and befriendee for the duration of the match. Because befriending is often undertaken with vulnerable people by volunteers usually working alone, it is crucial to have training, support, safeguards, risk assessments, procedures and policies in place to ensure this vital social service is carried out to the best possible standard. Befriending Networks provides vital infrastructure for all these services, irrespective of client group, in order that a consistently high standard of support can be maintained.