1 – 7 November 2024 is Befriending Week – an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of befriending and the positive impact it has on individuals and communities.
We wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the success of the Leeds Mind Befriending service, and celebrate the achievements made by the people who have accessed it.
The Leeds Mind Befriending service supports people over the age of 50 in Leeds. We offer one-to-one befriending partnerships with a like-minded befriending volunteer. With a befriender, people can do lots of things, such as have a chat, go for a walk or tackle an issue they feel is holding them back.
The amazing work that has come out of this service wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated colleagues and volunteers – a big thank you to everyone involved.
Here, we share some of the stories of support and progress from a few of our volunteers and clients.
Where have we been?
Each of our befriending partnerships are unique and person-centred. This means someone accessing the service can choose a place and activity that is most helpful to them. Here are some of the places we have visited and things we have done during our partnerships:
- Visiting people at home
- Telephone appointments
- Bowling clubs
- Snooker clubs
- Garforth walking spaces
- Walks around Headingley
- Roundhay Rose Gardens
- White Rose Shopping Centre
- Coffee shops in Roundhay
- Roundhay walking spaces
- Three Cottages Café
- Meanwood Park
- Wetherby walking spaces
- Eateries around Wetherby
- LS14 Trust
- Walking spaces around Seacroft
- Plus many more!
What are some of our success stories so far?
With the help of their Befriender, people who accessed our Befriending service have:
- Sourced an electric wheelchair and used the time during their Befriending sessions to gain confidence using it. They have now, on several occasions, managed to go to the shop and back
- Built up the courage to go on a date!
- Used an ATM for the first time
- Went to the White Rose Centre in their mobility scooter for the first time without their partner
- Accessed additional support to help with their wellbeing
- Started accessing ADHD support groups, following a recent diagnosis of ADHD
- Hired a weekly dog walker for their beloved senior pooch, as they themselves are not able to leave the house
- Overcome a fear of getting in a car; now able to drive short distances unassisted
What people who use our support are saying:
“It helps me feel supported by a companion and friend who understands what I’m going through and is there for me.”
“Before Befriending I was not getting any company and sitting indoors all of the time. Now I’m able to go out and do more.”
“The way that my Befriender acted when I was in crisis made me feel like I could support myself, specifically taking me to the crisis café.”
“I have enjoyed having my Befriender come to visit once a week, as I ordinarily wouldn’t speak to a young man, and it’s been nice speaking to someone I usually wouldn’t.”
“Befriending has helped me feel less socially isolated. I have been able to go out properly for the first time in 10 years!”
“I have built some confidence with speaking to other people. I went on a trip and was able to speak with people!”
“I feel that befriending has made me feel less socially isolated. I look forward to seeing my Befriender at the same time each week. I really enjoy our conversations. Feel like I have a real connection.”
“I have attended befriending social groups, and those have been good.”
“I came along to the Befriending social, I will be coming to more.”
“It has gotten me out of the house, and I have enjoyed meeting someone new. This is challenging me to come out of my comfort zone.”
Khalid’s story
What’s next?
Our Befriending team now includes a Project Coordinator, 1 Befriending Worker, and 20 volunteers.
We are in the process of recruiting a new Befriending Worker to start in the New Year, so we look forward to being able to work with more people and build on our success.
Find out more about our Befriending service and for any questions you might have, please contact befriending@leedsmind.org.uk
Keep an eye on our vacancies page for opportunities to join our Befriending team.
