Befriending
Brent Mind provides a befriending scheme for adults who are experiencing mental health problems and who are lonely and socially isolated.
We offer individual, group and telephone befriending which aim to:
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Reduce loneliness and social isolation
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Increase self-esteem and social skills through the development of a positive relationship with a befriender
What is individual befriending?
Individual befriending involves a volunteer befriender meeting with a service user usually once a week for 1 hour for a period of up to one year. How they spend time together is up to them. Some people like to chat over a cup of tea, others like to visit a café, go shopping, visit a museum or a sports centre or follow up some other interests.
What is Group Befriending?
Group Befriending is for people who wish to get together with a small group of other service users to make new friends and pursue common interests and activities, such as: going to cafes, the cinema and bowling. Two volunteers facilitate the group which meets every fortnight.
How can I get a befriender?
If you are interested in getting a befriender you can directly get in touch with us or be referred by external agencies or GPs.
You must:
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Live in the Borough of Brent
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Be aged between 18 and 65
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Be experiencing or have experienced mental health distress
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Be isolated and interested in having a befriender
Who will be my befriender?
When you get in touch with us, we will assess your needs and preferences. Then we will try to match you with the appropriate befriender so you can meet on a weekly basis.
For more information, please send an email befriending3@brentmind.org.uk or call us on 020 7604 5177.
How do I apply?
Download and fill in an application form and give us the name of someone who can give us further information (eg.social worker). You can either send it to befriending3@brentmind.org.uk or to Brent Mind, Hampton House, 1b Dyne Road, Kilburn, London NW6 7XG.
Once we have received your application form, one of the Befriending Co-ordinators will meet you to discuss your application and answer any questions you may have.
