Befriending

Befriending

Befriending is a one-to-one relationship offered to people living in the community who have experienced, or are experiencing, mental health problems. Recognising that mental health problems can make people very isolated, the aim of the befriending relationship is to help by:

Relieving loneliness and isolation
Listening and trying to understand
Trying to help establish links with the local community through social and recreational activities.

FDAMH’s Befriending Project is accredited by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation

How the Service Works.

The befriending service is free of charge (although clients must pay for their share of any activity that they undertake with their befriender) and available to anyone aged 16 and over living in the Falkirk area who has, or is, experiencing mental health problems. The service is managed by two members of staff. A key part of their role is to provide training, support and supervision to our volunteer befrienders (all of whom have been thoroughly vetted, including criminal records checks).

Access to the service is via referral only: a social worker, CPN, support worker, GP or other health professional can refer someone by getting in touch with the service and/or by completing the appropriate referral form (please see link at top of page). See the form for more details about referral.

What happens next?

You will be matched with a suitable befriender and you will meet regularly to do things together. Your befriending experience will be supervised by a member of staff and you will meet regularly to review how the befriending is going. Befriending relationships last for approximately one year.

Volunteers

Volunteering opportunities are currently available with this service. Should you be interested then please see the Jobs / Volunteering page for more details.

“I wanted befriending to ‘get me out of myself’ and it has done that. Its been a very positive experience.”

“Even during times of low mood there was the incentive to make the meeting...(it) helped me feel better”

“At first I was a bit sceptical...but it was hugely beneficial to me.”

“I don’t feel a prisoner in my own house anymore...”

“I’m more confident about doing things on my own.”

Befriending Team: Stuart, Margaret or David (01324) 671611 or 671610