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Voluntary Action South Leicestershire Good Companions and Mental Health Befriending Schemes There are many people across South Leicestershire who are living alone and feeling isolated. Some of them are housebound and sit alone in their lounge all week, not seeing a single person or maybe only a paid carer who pops in every morning to help them get up. The days seem very long and each one the same so you can imagine how much these
people look forward to seeing our Volunteer Befrienders who offer them companionship and relief from the loneliness. Befrienders are volunteers who have an hour a week to spare to visit someone in their own home for a chat and a cup of tea. Some of our befrienders have built up wonderful relationships with the person that they visit and these relationships have lasted for many years. If you get on well with people and enjoy a good chat over a pot of tea you may really enjoy being a befriender. It is very rewarding and for one hour of your time per week you
could become a valued person in someone's life. We offer all our befrienders as much support as they need and pay out of pocket travelling expenses. Or maybe you know of someone who is isolated and would benefit from a visit from a befriender in which case please feel free to refer them to us, with their permission of course. We offer two befriending schemes: 1) Good Companions Befriending Scheme for people living alone in their own homes who are over 65 years of age and feel isolated and lonely. 2) Mental Health Befriending Scheme for
people who have become isolated and lonely due to having experienced mental ill health. If you would like to find out more about these schemes or you would like to become a volunteer or refer someone to the schemes please feel free to call Hilary Dunsmore on 01858 439269 or drop into Voluntary Action South Leicestershire at The Settling Rooms, St Mary's Place, Market Harborough. LE16 7DR ( the building in the middle of Sainsbury's car park), or email: hdunsmore@vasl.org.uk
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