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You are here:

 1. Home
 2. Our services
 3. Befriending Service

More links
 * Meals on Wheels
 * Independent Living Support
 * Foot care
 * Gardening
 * Bathing Service
 * Befriending Service
   * Monday Meet Ups
 * Cogs Club
 * Computer Classes
 * Day Care
 * Dementia Day Care
 * Exercise and Socialise
 * Information and advice
 * Room Hire
 * Take home and settle
 * Trusted Traders List
 * Wheelchair Hire


BEFRIENDING SERVICE


PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR BEFRIENDING VISITS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS ARE CURRENTLY ON
HOLD DUE TO COIVD-19. BEFRIENDING CONTINUES TO BE AVAILABLE BY TELEPHONE ONLY.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS SERVICE OR TO
VOLUNTEER.

At Age UK Maidstone one of the ways we try to beat loneliness in later life is
through our  Befriending Service, where a volunteer visits an older person once
a week in their own home.




WHAT IS BEFRIENDING?

Each older person is assigned a befriender, who provides friendly conversation
and companionship on a regular basis over a long period of time.

Befriending provides an older person with a link to the outside world and often
acts as a gateway for other services and valuable support.

Each visit lasts usually between 1-3 hours depending on the clients needs and
the volunteers availability.

Occasionally there will be events that are suitable for befriending clients to
attend if they wish to.


WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible for our service you must be over 55 years of age and pay your tax
to Maidstone Borough Council.

We are sadly no longer in a position to accept referrals or applications for our
face to face befriending from those who are experiencing mental health issues or
those living with dementia. However everyone over the age of 55 is welcome to
join us for our various community befriending events.


WHY IS BEFRIENDING SO IMPORTANT?

Loneliness is a massive issue for people in later life in the UK:

 * 200,000 older people say they haven't had a conversation with friends or
   family for a month.
 * 3.9 million older people agree the television is their main form of company.
 * Loneliness can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.


WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

There are some things that a befriending volunteer is not able to do, for
instance they will not be able to help with personal care, go shopping on your
behalf, do housework, gardening or maintenance, give counselling or guidance.

This service is not a taxi service and our volunteers will not be able to take
clients to appointments.

Unfortunatly we are unable to provide a sitting service when family or carers
are away.


WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Please note that our befriending visits and community events are currently on
hold due to COVID-19.

Please ensure that you have the clients permission before making a referral.

You can then give us a call on 01622 753618

These criteria will be used for guidance only and each referral will be
individually assessed


BEFRIENDING SERVICE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS


 * MONDAY MEET UPS
   
   


 * THE TALKING BUS
   
   


CALL IN TIME 

Age UK also offer a telephone befriending service, for people over 60 who would
benefit from the additional support a telephone friendship could provide. For
more information please email callintime@ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 434 6105.




BECOME A BEFRIENDING VOLUNTEER




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This website is managed by Age UK Maidstone working in partnership with Age UK.
Age UK Maidstone, 7 Mill Street, Maidstone, ME15 6XW.

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