BEFRIENDER
WHY VOLUNTEER
Looking to Make a Difference? Volunteering Has Never Been Easier!
We get it—life is busy. Between work, family, and everything else, finding time to volunteer can feel impossible. But what if we told you that making a big impact only takes one hour a week? At Cyril Flint Befrienders, we’ve created a flexible volunteering model that fits right into your schedule.
Once matched with a person to befriend, you and your new friend decide when to meet. Maybe weekends work best, or perhaps a catch-up after work is perfect. As long as you can commit to one hour a week, it’s easy to add a meaningful visit into your routine.
Our volunteers, or “befrienders,” come from all walks of life, aged 18 to 76+. We welcome students, parents of young kids, professionals, part-time and full-time workers, and retirees. If you love good conversation and enjoy listening, befriending might be your perfect fit!
Why Volunteer? The Benefits Are Huge!
Volunteering doesn’t just help others—it benefits you, too. You could make new friends, strengthen community ties, gain confidence, or even build new skills to boost your CV. Plus, volunteering can give your mental and physical health a real lift.
Our befrienders often tell us how rewarding the role is. Many friendships grow and thrive, making a lasting difference in everyone’s lives. And you won’t be doing this alone—we’re here to support you every step of the way and love hearing your heartwarming befriending stories!
We also host volunteer social events throughout the year, bringing our incredible community together. When possible, our volunteers also join forces for fundraising events, making an even bigger impact.
Want to Help in Other Ways?
If befriending isn’t quite right for you, there are plenty of other ways to get involved:
Fundraiser: Help raise vital funds to support our charity and reach lonely members of our community.
Admin Assistant: We always need organised people to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Telephone Befriender: Brighten someone’s day with a friendly phone call once a week, giving them a new friend to look forward to.
Ready to join our mission to end loneliness? Get in touch today and become part of our warm, supportive volunteer family. We’d love to hear from you!
BECOME A VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER
Our goal is simple but powerful: to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older people. Befriending is special because it’s not about practical or professional support—it’s about genuine, caring companionship. Our volunteers visit because they enjoy the company, and that can really boost someone’s self-esteem and give them something to look forward to.
Picture it: a friendly chat over a cuppa, sharing stories, laughter, and life’s ups and downs. Over time, some incredible, long-lasting friendships have blossomed. If you’d love to make a meaningful impact, why not join us?
MAIN TASKS OF BEFRIENDING (NOT ALL TASKS HAVE TO BE MET)
Here are some of the rewarding ways you can make a difference as a Cyril Flint Befriender:
- Have a friendly chat: Most older people are simply looking for someone to talk to, share stories with, and enjoy a bit of companionship.
- Go for short walks: A stroll to the local shops or a nearby library can be a wonderful way to spend time together and get some fresh air.
- Boost confidence: Help your befriendee feel more at ease and ready to join community groups or local day clubs.
- Assist with accessing local services: Support them in finding and using nearby facilities, whether it’s learning about local activities or accessing helpful resources.
Important to know: As a volunteer befriender, you won’t be expected to meet any personal care needs. Your role is all about being a friendly, supportive companion!
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for people who can spare an hour a week and possess the following skills and traits:
- Caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach.
- Reliable and Trustworthy
- Understanding of confidentiality
- Good commination skills, good listener
TIME COMMITMENT
We ask our Volunteer Befrienders to dedicate at least one hour per week to visit an older person (Befriendee) that they are matched with; to have a chat with them and give them some much needed interaction.
Please note all of our volunteer befrienders are required to attend an informal recruitment evening and are required to complete an enhanced DBS check (no charge for this). Volunteers must be 18 years old or over.
To apply, please contact Ruth via email.
