Our befriending service runs alongside our peer support groups, offering another way of helping to reduce isolation and loneliness. Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone to talk to. Befriending simply means to ‘be friendly’ to someone, and helps people to build reliable, social relationships that help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. If you’re feeling lonely because of your BPD, don’t be afraid to reach out, we will be able to help you connect with a trained volunteer who wants to listen and talk.
At times there may be a delay in matching you with a volunteer, if this is the case you will be held on a waiting list on a first come first served basis. We will keep in touch with you throughout and no fees will be charged until your service starts.
What services are available?
Telephone befriending: a weekly phone call with your befriender
Online 1:1 befriending: a weekly chat over Teams
Online group befriending: a weekly group gathering, some of these groups run activities, craft sessions or games
What happens after referral?
One of our trained volunteers will arrange a time to call you and have a conversation about your needs, your likes and dislikes, and anything else we need to know to match you with a volunteer befriender.
We will then try to match you with a volunteer – if one is not available, we will put you on a waiting list and keep in touch with you throughout.
Once you have been matched with a volunteer, we will get in touch with you to arrange the first conversation. Usually conversations happen once a week and last about 30-40 minutes.
We will keep in touch with you and your befriender to make sure everything is ok.
How do I apply for the befriending service?
You can self-refer for the befriending service.
If you are a health and social care professional who wishes to refer someone, please email us at info@borderlinesupport.org.uk.