I Want to Volunteer.
Being a volunteer befriender is very rewarding and you can make a real difference in the life of someone who is lonely or isolated. Please see the organisations listed lower down on this page to see which is most local to you.
I Want to Volunteer
Are you a good listener, patient and interested in people, have you got a skill or gift that you would like to share with others. Can you make a regular commitment to befriend an individual or group of people who might be isolated and feel lonely.
As a volunteer befriender you can expect:
- Comprehensive Induction training covering a range of topics including the role of a befriender, safeguarding, boundaries, health and safety
- Ongoing training including end of life care, dementia awareness and practical skills
- Payment of out of pocket expenses
- Be fully insured for your volunteering
- Meet others and make new friends
- Have fun
Volunteer Search:
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer befriender with one of the organisations in the Network then please contact them directly through the links below. Please look at the address and postcode of the organisations to find the closest organisation to you. You can email them to express your interest or call for a chat and further information. You do not necessarily have to befriend where you live.
Search:
Millside House
131 Grattan Road
Bradford
BD1 2HS
Phone: 01274 900764
Email: contact@hopehousing.org.uk
At Hope Housing we know that positive friendships can make such a difference when people are going through hard times. Befrienders make a key difference in our vulnerable clients’ lives and help to prevent people losing tenancies. Befrienders will work with people who are vulnerably housed and living in accommodation provided by Hope Housing.
Kenburgh House
28 Manor Row
Bradford
BD1 4QU
Phone: 01274 730815
Email:
communitycompanions@mindinbradford.org.uk
Community Companions befriending is for anyone who is lonely/ socially isolated, aged 18+ and living across Bradford District (Bradford, Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale). They will receive face-to-face support each week for up to 1 hour, from a trained volunteer. The aim is to support individuals experiencing loneliness, social isolation, anxiety and depression to access local community groups, activities and services.
35 Salem St
Bradford
BD1 4QH
Phone: 01274 952200
Email:
befriending@thebridgeproject.org.uk
Telephone Befriending Service.
Just because you have to stay at home it doesn’t mean you should be lonely or isolated. ‘Together Talks’ Telephone Befriending Service has registered friendly volunteers who are ready to give you a call and chat about interests and hobbies or just provide a listening ear. By registering with Together Talks, we will match you with a Volunteer Telephone Befriender who will contact you at an agreed convenient time to have a friendly conversation over the phone.
Bradford and District Live at Home Scheme
Unit 76B
Carlisle Business Centre
Carlisle Rd, Bradford
BD8 8BD
Phone: 01274 397302
Email:
Bradford.Liveathome@mha.org.uk
Bradford and District Live at Home Scheme (MHA) supports older people over 55 years looking for a befriender in the following areas Wibsey, Clayton, Great Horton, Undercliffe and Bolton. They have a range of other services that could be of interest to older people.
Communityworks
Undercliffe Lane
Bradford BD3 0DW
Phone: 01274 200589
Email:
office@communityworksbradford.org.uk
We are no longer able to offer telephone befriending however you are most welcome to call us to find out about the opportunities we do offer. These include a walking group, an exercise class, ESOL Classes, a Day Centre for over 55s and much more.
Maudsley St
Bradford
BD3 9LE
Phone: 0800 304 7411
Email:
westyorkshirehelper@mariecurie.org.uk
We know that little things can make a big difference – like having someone to chat to over a cup of tea, help you get to an appointment or just be there to listen when you need a friendly ear.
That’s where our Marie Curie Helper service comes in. We’ll match you with a trained, dedicated Helper volunteer who will visit you at home, go out with you somewhere or talk to you over the phone.
St John’s Bowling Hub
Neville Road
Bradford
BD4 8TU
Phone: tel:07803418382
Email: teresa@bd4communitytrust.org.uk
We provided activities for over 55’s, including a Befriending service run by volunteers. Offering friendship, support and conversation through the week.
Scholemoor Beacon Befriending
Scholemore Community Centre
Dracup Avenue
Bradford West Yorkshire BD7 2RJ
Phone: 01274 522231/ 07458 303667
Email:
Farhat@scholemoorbeacon.org.uk
We offer a telephone befriending service for people who feel lonely and isolated and live in Scholemoor and surrounding area. It is aimed at people who would prefer to talk in Urdu or Punjabi. If want to refer yourself or are a professional who is working with someone that you think would benefit from a weekly friendly phone call, then please get in touch.
Royds Community Association
Royds Enterprise Park Future Fields
Buttershaw
Bradford BD6 3EW
Phone: 07951914790
Email: info@royds.org.uk
Royds are recruiting volunteers of all ages, who would like to meet with people face to face, make telephone calls, work in our café at one of our community centres, and generally help with all different activities.
Healthy Lifestyle Solutions (HLS)
319 Tong St
Bradford BD4 9QY
Phone: 01274 685449
Email:
info@healthylifestylebradford.co.uk
Healthy Lifestyle Solutions (HLS) has recently started a befriending project and offers one to one and group befriending in the Tong Ward and the area covered by Community Partnership 9. They will look at people on an individual basis depending on need.
The HALE Project
1 Westgate
Shipley
Bradford
West Yorkshire BD18 3QX
Phone: 01274 271088
Fax: 01274 710843
Email: info@haleproject.org.uk
HALE supports volunteers who help at our well being cafes once a month and at our weekly social groups. We have young volunteers who offer peer support through our youth services. We are currently looking for volunteer drivers to take elderly people to our monthly cafes, either in Wrose or Baildon and to weekly social groups in Shipley. If you are interested please email for a simple volunteer application form.
CareLink Befriending Scheme
Action Point Community Support Services
23 Temple Row
Keighley BD21 2AH
Phone: 01535 609506
Email: admin@actionpoint.uk
Carelink provides Befriending services and individual support for people feeling socially isolated or lonely in the Keighley district. Trained volunteers are available for a regular, friendly chat, either face-to-face or by telephone for up to an hour each week. Volunteers can also provide support to help with dog walking, shopping, or to go for a walk. Some services are subject to local and national restrictions and may be on hold until circumstances allow.
Carelink staff support volunteers in their roles as well as support people who are referred to us and who may have more complex needs.
Carelink staff will contact anyone who is referred to discuss the service and the individual’s needs. People are matched with their own volunteer for companionship for as long as they need the service. The service is free and is funded by The National Lottery and Bradford council.
Ilkley and District Good Neighbours
Riddings Hall
Riddings Road
Ilkley LS29 9LU
Phone: 01943 603348
Email:
info@goodneighboursilkley.org.uk
Ilkley and District Good Neighbours offers a 1 to 1 befriending service for older people in Ilkley, Addingham, Burley in Wharfedale and Menston. They also have several other services for the benefit of older people.
