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Befriending, One to One Support and Telephone Befriending Services

Many older people who live alone or are housebound, benefit from the support offered by our Befriending Service.  A team of specially trained volunteer befrienders pay regular weekly visits to some of the most vulnerable older people in our communities.  Friendships are forged in many ways:

• over a cup of tea and natter about the ‘soaps’        
• during strolls round a local beauty spot                   
• through a shared interest                                          
• or a visit to the local library, theatre, shops or pub.          

Our befrienders come from all walks of life, and all share a common concern for the well-being of older people.  Volunteer befrienders are given lots of support and guidance. This, together with a careful matching up of individual service user and befriender ensures that everyone gets the best from this very popular service.

Once a month, befriending service users and volunteers meet in our comfortable Learning Centre in Farnworth to:

• enjoy tea together                                                
• have a good old ‘chin wag’
• enjoy a varied programme of quizzes,
• talks and presentations, shopping excursions
• and much more!

We also provide a Telephone Befriending Service, to help relieve loneliness and isolation amongst older people. Trained volunteers make regular weekly telephone contact for a friendly and informal chat. Typically, calls last between 15 and 20 minutes each week. This service allows us to reach out to older people across Bolton where no in-person befriending service is currently available, and to those who prefer and look forward to a regular chat over the phone.

The One to One part of the service allows us to work with older people, on a one-to-one basis, to achieve specific tasks or goals, or to take up activities that are meaningful to them.  For example, supporting an older person to build up his/her confidence to rejoin a hobby club or network of friends after the loss of a partner; or to help them build up confidence to get out and about after a fall or other illness.

Please note that our Befriending Service is available to older people living in the Farnworth, Kearsley and  Little Lever areas of Bolton and also to older people living in the South Turton area, which includes Bromley Cross, Egerton and Harwood.

Our One to One Support and Telephone Befriending Services are available to older people throughout the borough of Bolton.

We’re pleased to take enquiries/referrals from older people direct or anyone acting on their behalf and with their agreement.

Why not join our team of Volunteers?

If you’re 18 or over, committed to the well-being of older people and able to spare a couple of hours, (daytime or evening) each week, we’d love to hear from you.  You can get involved with the befriending service only and/or the social rehabilitation service.  No formal qualifications or previous experience are needed, as full training will be provided for you.

These services are funded in partnership with Bolton Council’s Adult Services Department.

To find out more about the Befriending Service in Farnworth, Kearsley and Little Lever, the One to One Support and Telephone Befriending Service, please contact Heather Crook - Befriending and One-to-One Support Co-ordinator.

You can ring on 01204 701525
or e-mail heathercrookageconcernbolton.org.uk
or use this contact form

To find out more about the Befriending Service in South Turton, please contact Kath Teece, Befriending Service Co-ordinator (South Turton)

You can ring on 01204 332866     
or e-mail kathteeceageconcernbolton.org.uk
or use this contact form

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Service: Befriending, One to One Support and Telephone Befriending Services

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