Types of befriending

This is usually one to one and a volunteer/paid befriender makes regular visits to get to know someone and offer friendship and support. It can be time limited to support someone through a crisis or can be sustained over a number of years.

Similar to above, however the befriender accompanies and supports someone to go out of the home to go on outings, take part in activities or to go to appointments

Bringing people who might have limited social opportunities together in a group setting, encouraging and facilitating peer support and friendships as well as support from befrienders.

Mentoring involves supporting someone to achieve a specific goal or outcome and is usually time limited

Support is provided over the telephone on a regular basis to check that the person is well and have a chat. This approach can be used if there is a waiting list for home visiting but some people just prefer to chat on the phone.

Where people have access to the internet and like to use it this approach can be useful where people might struggle with face to face contact and are not very confident.

This is where a couple of people want to develop friendships with peers but there are practical obstacles for this to work e.g. for people with learning disabilities. The befriending role could be to offer practical support like arranging transport, organising an outing, handling money or acting as a chaperone.