Our Befriending service is on until end of February!

Date published: 6th January 2021

As we are once more facing a national lockdown, feelings of isolation and loneliness might increase. If this is the case, you might benefit from our free Befriending service. This provision will cease by the end of February, so if you want to take advantage of it, or know someone who can benefit from it, we are still accepting new referrals.

Below you can find more information on what Befriending is and how you can be referred:

Would your service user benefit from someone to talk to regularly?

Tuntum Housing Association provides a specialist befriending service for its service users.

Our Befriending Service provides social support and companionship to people living in the community who are isolated, vulnerable or lonely, as a result of COVID-19 lockdown.

For some people who live alone or are housebound it can be days before they speak to another person. A regular befriending visit gives you an opportunity to have a chat, express worries or concerns, share a joke, or reminisce with someone who is happy to listen and talk.

What does a befriender do?

A befriender visits your service user on a regular basis at mutually convenient times. This is generally a weekly visit.

A home visit often includes a cup of tea and a biscuit and somewhere comfortable to sit and chat. They can reminisce over old photographs, play a board or card game, or just sit and share news and family experiences.

Your befriender can be a great link to the outside world and help you access other services. A befriender does not help with personal care or offer counselling or guidance, but they can help them access these services if they need them.

Who can refer to the service?

Only staff at Tuntum Housing Association can refer a service user.

How does staff refer a service user to the Befriending Service?

If you think your service user can benefit from this kind of support, you will need to:

  • Get permission from your service user to refer them;
  • Email the request for the referral form to Marcia Henry at befriending@tuntum.co.uk;
  • You will receive a link to an online form to be completed about your service user;
  • Complete and submit the form.

Once the above steps are completed, Marcia will make direct contact with your service user.