Befriending
Everybody should have somebody. We match people with people to create friendships that make life better. We’ve been doing so for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve seen loneliness eased and lives changed – all through the simple power of human connection.
During the coronavirus outbreak, Together Co Befriending is working hard to scale up our service to support even more isolated and vulnerable people in Brighton and Hove. All our befriending coordinators are currently working from home, and our volunteers are offering telephone befriending rather than face-to-face visits. We are also helping people access essential food supplies.
We welcome new referrals. We are experiencing high demand, but will reply as soon as possible. Thank you for your support.
Last year…
403 befrienders
9,255 visits
14,719 hours of support given
Create valuable friendships
We know making new friends isn’t always easy. We can help by matching you with a befriender who lives locally and who you can meet with regularly.
“I feel my befriender is part of my family. I am so grateful.”
Share interests & experiences
When we match people we consider their backgrounds and interests – we’ll tell you some basic things about each other to help you both feel comfortable when you first meet. Being able to talk about your thoughts and the things you like makes it easy for a friendship to grow naturally.
Improve confidence & self-esteem
As well as social visiting, a befriender can help you with things you’re not too confident with – like going out to the shops or the doctors.
“My befriender visits, takes me out, and takes me to hospital appointments. They’re a friend now who comes for a cuppa and chat. We have a laugh.”
Live happier & healthier lives
We all deserve to feel happy and healthy. Befriending is a simple way of connecting with others, which can be a big help – both for you and your befriender.
“Over five years, the person I visit and I have developed a meaningful and personal relationship that means a lot to us.”
“Things are coming together and I am overcoming my barriers.”
Our process
- You – or a friend, family member, or professional working with you – can get in touch with us by telephone, email or post. We can help if you’re over 50, or have a physical or sensory disability or chronic condition, or you’re a carer.
- When we receive your details, one of our team will contact you for a chat.
- We’ll then start looking for the right befriender to visit you, based on details like where you live and your interests. This can take some time, so we’ll keep in touch through our newsletter and occasional phone calls.
- When we think we’ve found a good match, we’ll contact you and the befriender to check you’re both happy to meet each other.
- You’ll start to meet regularly, on your own terms.
- We’ll keep in touch, and you can contact us if you ever need to talk about something.
Together Co is delighted to be a partner in the city’s Ageing Well Partnership which aims to help people make the most of the opportunities that being older and wiser can bring.
Get support
Please contact us if you or someone you know would like our support, or if you have any questions.
Looking for the Casserole Club?
Brighton and Hove Casserole Club is a free, local food-sharing community run in partnership by Together Co Befriending and the Food Partnership. We connect people who love cooking and want to be active in their community (cooks) with isolated neighbours who no longer find it easy to cook for themselves (diners). This involves sharing an extra portion of food on a regular (perhaps fortnightly) basis – whatever works best for the cook and diner.
Contact us if you’d like to become a diner, or to become a cook simply apply as a Befriending Volunteer and let us know that you’re interested in meal sharing.
Volunteer as a Befriender
It’s amazing what we can achieve together. Give us a little of your time and we’ll help you make a big difference in your local community.
Latest Befriending post
A humble yet well-loved figure — Sean de Podesta, Head of Befriending, retires
Managing Together Co Befriending (formerly the Neighbourhood Care Scheme) for 21 years, Sean has helped socially isolated and lonely people across the city to find lasting friendship and company with their neighbours.
© 2019 Together Collective a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales: Company No. 03895574, whose registered office is Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD. Together Collective is a registered charity: Charity No. 1083390