Befriending Service

Foresight delivers a Befriending Service which was initially formed for blind/visually impaired people over the age of 65 who are residents of North East Lincolnshire. The original aim of this project was to help elderly people live at home longer. Due to the success of this project, we now deliver to people with physical, learning or sensory disability over the age of 18. The overall aim is now to help people with disabilities live at home longer and reduce isolation. 

To assist with this scheme Foresight has a bank of volunteers who are recruited specifically for this project offering assistance with shopping, reading mail, help and support with centre activities and general companionship. Volunteer befrienders offer support to people who would otherwise be socially isolated, often providing people with a new direction in life, leading to increased self-esteem and confidence, enhancing individual quality of life. 

An initial assessment is carried out to identify and establish the needs and requirements of the client to volunteer, looking at similar interests enabling both client and volunteer to be matched, and building upon companionship. 

The uniqueness of this project has seen the rise in success enabling this service to enter its fourth year of delivery. This has enabled the project to expand to deliver to people aged over 18 with a physical, learning or sensory disability, providing one to one support within the courses and activities we run at Foresight. 

"My volunteer makes me feel as though she always has time for me"

"I have made lots of new friends and expanded my social activities by coming into the centre to access activities"

"I am very grateful for the service and get on extremely well with my volunteer"

Befriending provides companionship for isolated people, the chance to develop a new relationship and opportunities to participate in social activities. For people who become isolated due to ill health, disability or social advantage, being matched with a befriender often fills the gap. Befriending provides welcome support for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

To support all-volunteer befrienders, Foresight offers a wide range of training that is specific in delivering these services. This training includes:

• Visual impairment Awareness
• First Aid,
• Health & Safety
• Lone Working
• Risk Assessment Training

All courses are free and certificates are issued on completion of the course. 

Jodie Bingham on 01472 269666