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befriending.co.uk
Befriending Networks
@befriending.co.uk
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The largest network of befriending services in the world. Join us today at befriending.co.uk
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befriending.co.uk
This week is #TrusteesWeek and we want to take the opportunity to thank our incredible board for all their hard work, passion and dedication to supporting the befriending sector. Thank you! 🌟

Find out more about our board on our website: befriending.co.uk/about/staff-board

#BefriendingWeek
Top row: Emily Kenward, Mike Niles Middle row: Stuart Gray, Bonnie Bowhay, Jayne Burnett, Bottom row: Nikki Pattinson, Rita Chadha, Julia Weir
November 12, 2025 at 1:02 PM
befriending.co.uk
As we wrap up #BefriendingWeek 2025, we want to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part. It's been a busy week and we've been blown away by all the activity taking place. For a roundup of some highlights, check out our blog. Thank you! 🎉
befriending.co.uk/bw25-thankyou/
#WythnosCyfeillio
November 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
befriending.co.uk
For #BefriendingWeek, Sarah Murphy MS, the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing gave a message of thanks to Befriending Networks, members and dedicated volunteers who give their time to support others in Wales through befriending. Read the message here.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-sarahmu...
Image includes excerpt from the Minister's message: "O ganlyniad i'ch ymrwymiad i feithrin cysylltiadau ystyrlon, rydych chi'n helpu i greu Cymru fwy tosturiol a chynhwysol ac yn gwneud gwahaniaeth trawsnewidiol i fywydau pobl bob dydd." Sarah Murphy AS, Y Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl a Llesiant "Through your commitment to building meaningful connections, you are helping to create a more compassionate and inclusive Wales and making a transformational difference to people’s lives every day." Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
befriending.co.uk
As Befriending Week 2025 comes to a close, Helen MacIntyre, from @neighbourlylab.bsky.social, highlights some ways in which befrienders and others working to address loneliness need to be aware of hearing loss as a barrier to social connection.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-neighbourlylab

#BefriendingWeek
Neighbourly Lab: Keep hearing loss in mind this Befriending Week
November 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
befriending.co.uk
Our final case study of #BefriendingWeek 2025 comes from The Befriending Scheme, which provides friendship for vulnerable people across Suffolk. They share the story of Kevin and Barry, whose befriending match has grown into a mutual friendship.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-thebefriendingscheme
" I love being out with Kevin - it is a very easy 2-way friendship". Read the Befriending Scheme case study on our blog. befriending.co.uk/bw
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
befriending.co.uk
Ar gyfer yr #WythnosCyfeillio, Matt yn myfyrio ar 6 mis o adeiladu partneriaethau â chymunedau ffydd i hyrwyddo cyfeillio.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-linkinglivescymru
For #BefriendingWeek, Matt reflects on 6 months of building partnerships with faith communities to promote befriending.

#Cymru #Cymraeg
Chwe mis o Linking Lives Cymru / Six months of Linking Lives Cymru
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
befriending.co.uk
NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🎙️
Today we're sharing a new podcast with Caroline Hanks from the London Irish Centre. Sandra chats to Caroline about the process for achieving the Quality Award, with some top tips and advice for completing the assessment.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-londoni...

#BefriendingWeek
Podcast: London Irish Centre's Quality Award Journey with Caroline Hanks
November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
befriending.co.uk
Befriending Week is one of many campaigns that aim to bring people together and celebrate the power of connection. Today's guest blog from Grainne McCloskey at Eden Project Communities shares stories of connection from The Big Lunch. Read the blog: befriending.co.uk/bw25-biglunch
#BefriendingWeek
Eden Project Communities: Building community connections through The Big Lunch.
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
befriending.co.uk
Today's case study comes from Vintage Vibes, an award-winning charity tackling isolation and loneliness in Edinburgh. Sheila shares how becoming a Vintage Vibes’ VIP has helped her find purpose after years of feeling invisible.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-vintagevibes

#BefriendingWeek #10YearsBold
"I just don't feel old anymore, because I've got purpose and I've got a voice with Vintage Vibes" Read the Vintage Vibes case study on our blog. befriending.co.uk/bw
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
befriending.co.uk
Our Befriending Week cable cars have been a fantastic day out for our members and other people from the community. There are still some spots available for the rest of the week, so head to our website to book your free place! befriending.co.uk/befriending-...

#BefriendingWeek
November 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
befriending.co.uk
We're thrilled to have our members collaborate to form our Quality in Befriending Panel Discussion at 13:40. Our seven panel members are all from projects who have earned their Quality in Befriending Award and will share their examples of collaboration and partnerships. #PeerLearning
November 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
befriending.co.uk
From 12:30 to 13:30, our annual conference is focused on our AGM, creating space for our network to connect and reflect on 2025, while sharing hopes for 2026. Here, we share a lot with our network. This includes our video reflecting on our Roadshow videos and sharing news of our 2026 events.
November 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
befriending.co.uk
Join the Eden Project for a lunchtime webinar from 12-1pm on Friday 7 November, to explore findings from an independent evaluation of The Big Lunch and their wider communities programme by the Belong Network.

Book your place now - events.more-human.co.uk/event/the-po...

#BefriendingWeek
The power of bringing people together: an Eden Project webinar
Online Event - Join us to explore the findings from an independent evaluation of The Big Lunch and our wider communities programme by the Belong Network.
events.more-human.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
befriending.co.uk
Our next member-led presentation is with Kirsten & Jan of Families First St Andrews. We felt our network could benefit from #PeerLearning on this great example of providing a supportive approach, focused on ensuring positive endings in befriending. Kirsten & Jan present from 11:20 to 11:40
November 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
befriending.co.uk
Our first member-led presentation is with Georgia of Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale. We learned of Georgia's innovative approach to volunteer recruitment and matching and have asked her to share this approach with our network. Georgia is presenting from 11:00 to 11:20. #PeerLearning
November 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
befriending.co.uk
Our keynote speaker is the wonderful Katie Kelly of New Local, an independent think tank & network of public sector bodies with a mission to transform public services & unlock community power. Presenting from 10:05 to 10:30, we are very excited to learn from their wealth of knowledge and experience.
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM
befriending.co.uk
Our Annual Conference & AGM start now. We look forward to welcoming our network online for reflecting on the past year, celebrations of #BefriendingWeek and planning for 2026. We're so excited to have content led by our members. After all, our theme is Collaboration and Partnerships! 💚
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 AM
befriending.co.uk
Our Befriending Week case study today comes from ALONE, an Excellence Award holder whose befriending service supports older people in Ireland. Zandile shares the enjoyment she gets from volunteering and connecting with older people in Galway.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-alone

#BefriendingWeek
"Even one hour together makes a difference. It's about being there, listening and showing love." Read the full ALONE case study on our blog. befriending.co.uk/bw
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
befriending.co.uk
🚨 New resource alert! 🚨
To mark #BefriendingWeek 2025, we've launched Creating Social Connections, a free e-learning module for volunteer befrienders.
Find out more and access the course: befriending.co.uk/bw25-elearni...
New free course. e-learning for volunteers: Creating Social Connections
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
befriending.co.uk
Today's case study is from Bramber Bakehouse and a participant in their Baking and Wellbeing programme and befriending service. The charity supports women who have experienced gender-based violence, abuse, exploitation or displacement.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-bramberbakehouse
#BefriendingWeek
Closeup of woman's hands making an apple pie. Text reads "[My befriender] reminded me how far I had come and...praised and celebrated my small wins". Read the Bramber Bakehouse case study on our blog: befriending.co.uk/bw
November 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Befriending Networks
vhscotland.bsky.social
To celebrate befriending week, VHS is pleased to share a member blog from @befriending.co.uk CEO Susan Hunter. Susan's blog highlights the critical role of befriending in health creation through prevention, early intervention, and meaningful social connection. Read it at tinyurl.com/4zbu2c7e
November 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM
befriending.co.uk
To mark our Befriending Week 2025 theme of Collaboration and Partnerships, our CEO Susan shares how organisations across the world are working together for greater social connection.
Read the blog: befriending.co.uk/bw25-international

#BefriendingWeek #WythnosCyfellio
Speech bubble illustration and picture of Susan Hunter. International perspectives on social connection and loneliness
November 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
befriending.co.uk
Today we're highlighting the incredible work of Sightline, a free telephone befriending service for people who are blind or partially sighted. In their case study, Jacqueline tells us about the joy she gets from their weekly phone calls with Julie.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-sightline
#BefriendingWeek
Jacqueline smiles while chatting on the phone. Text reads: "They say time flies when you're having fun, and it certainly does for our calls." Read the full Sightline case study on our blog. befriending.co.uk/bw
November 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
befriending.co.uk
Jump into this Sunday read from Rainbow Communities, exploring the power of connection for LGBT+ communities, and how collaboration helps them reach new people, gain insights and give service users a sense of ownership.
befriending.co.uk/bw25-rainbowcommunities
#BefriendingWeek #WythnosCyfeillio
Rainbow Communities - Building strength and belonging through LGBT+ connection
November 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
befriending.co.uk
Today's featured case study comes from Bright Futures UK. 🌞 The case study shares the story of Melina and her befriender Maddie, whose regular calls provided companionship and consistency while Melina underwent treatment. befriending.co.uk/bw25-brightfuturesuk

#BefriendingWeek #WythnosCyfeillio
We've built a genuine connection. From catching up on her week to being silly and playing together. Read the Bright Futures UK case study on our blog: befriending.co.uk/bw
November 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM