Volunteer Centre > Befriending

Our aims: Our befriending service seeks to provide befriending to isolated older people across West Dunbartonshire and will be open to those over 60 who are socially isolated. The project is open to those living in their own home, sheltered accommodation or other community settings

Update: vcbefriends first set of volunteers have completed their training and are to receive their certificates this week. Our six new befrienders are eager to begin their new roles providing a vital link to isolated and vulnerable older people in the West Dunbartonshire area. We are currently waiting for Disclosure Scotland to give the go ahead and as soon as this happens the befrienders will be matched with a compatible befriendee.

Our befrienders: Our volunteers are trained to provide social support and companionship within the boundaries of a befriending relationship. Befrienders may be involved in home visits or helping individuals to participate in social activities.

Our role: Befriending staff meet with potential volunteers to establish what they hope to gain from the project. After an induction, a training course, carrying out disclosure and reference checks we will carefully match people according to various factors, these include volunteers interests, hobbies and personality. We will also provide ongoing support for the duration of the befrienders involvement with the project.

Referrals: We will accept referrals from social work departments, health care professionals and other local agencies.

If you would like to know more about our new service then please feel free to contact us