Would you like to share some of your time and help put a smile on someone’s face, by giving them a friendly call once a week? By volunteering as a telephone befriending buddy, not only will you have an opportunity to engage and support an elderly person, but you can also learn and develop new skills and give back to your community.
If this sounds like you, we are looking for friendly volunteers to join our Birchfield Telephone Befriending Team. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. We particularly welcome volunteer interest from the Birchfield community and those who also speak an additional community language.
If you are interested in any volunteering opportunities with Birchfield Big Local, please contact Mehnaz Afzal on 07421 994753 or email: mehnaz@birchfieldbiglocal.org
If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Mehnaz Afzal, on 07421994753 or email: mehnaz@birchfieldbiglocal.org
National Befriending week begins in November (1-7th Nov) to celebrate and raise awareness of Befriending week and the positive impact it brings.
We know that loneliness is an issue that’s been highlighted during the pandemic. One of the ways we can help to overcome loneliness and isolation is by befriending. Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, access to a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self-confidence.
Birchfield Telephone Befriending Buddies service provides regular befriending via a weekly friendly phone call (from a trained volunteer buddy). The service gives support by providing a friendly conversation to those that are not able to get out and meet others or are feeling lonely and isolated. It is for anyone over 50 living in the local area, who would benefit from a regular friendly chat.
