Blether Buddies

This Befriending Service offers volunteers the chance to make a new friend and help someone overcome social isolation. This can be with individual members of the community or to provide respite to a carer to allow them to have some ‘me’ time, whilst providing added companionship and interaction for the person being cared for.

Full training will be provided for volunteers, which allows a chance to learn and build skills while giving something back to the community. We will also provide ongoing support and pay out of pocket expenses.

What are we looking for in a befriender?

• Good listening and communication skills,
• Patience,
• A positive outlook
• A non-judgemental approach.

"It seemed the ideal opportunity to give something back to the community that had been so welcoming to me" - Befriender volunteer, Isle of Arran

The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self-confidence. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact.

Befriending Arran Project