We run a Volunteer Befriending Service supporting older people who may be experiencing isolation or loneliness. Our befriending service covers the London Boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham and surrounding areas.

Older people are particularly vulnerable to isolation and loneliness owing to loss of friends and family, mobility or income. It can have a detrimental effect on their current and continued health and well-being.

The impact of loneliness and isolation on an individual’s health and well-being has significant cost implications for health and social care services as they are more likely to visit their GP more frequently, present themselves at hospital or need social services in times of crisis, whereas a small amount of early intervention can prevent this.

Our befriending volunteers are matched to an individual to provide companionship and emotional support and give them information on a range of community activities which aims to help them widen their social circles.

We also run a monthly lunch group that gives the opportunity of meeting up to widen social circles.

The eligibility criteria to access the befriending service is as follows:

• live within our operating boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich, and Lewisham.
• live alone with limited friend/family support
• Need some form of emotional support or simply just wants someone to talk to
• Attend our Monthly Lunch Group
• Telephone or in-person support 
• discharge from hospital and requires short-term befriending support in order to regain confidence or adapt to life after a period away from their home. 

As with all of our services, our befriending service is client-led and non-judgemental and is committed to offering and delivering a befriending service that meets the needs of the individual.

Please note: Our  volunteer befrienders cannot undertake any personal care tasks including mobility transfers or assisting/prompting with any prescribed medication. We are also unable to accept befriending referrals for people who have complex mental health needs.  

If this is the case, please contact our main office number 01322 336086 or email info@ccsel.org as we may be able to offer support through our core regulated services.

We are always looking to recruit Volunteer Befrienders with relevant skills and knowledge to provide the best possible matches to our clients.

If you would like to become a Volunteer Befriender, register as a client to attend our monthly lunch group, or make a referral to the service, please click on the following link, or contact:

Lynda Munns
Volunteer Coordinator
01322 336086 / 07903 043363
l.munns@ccsel.org