Reaching Out - Befriending Service

Reaching Out is a friendly, short-term befriending service for people aged 50+ living in RCT or Merthyr Tydfil who:

·      Are lonely or socially isolated with little to no support from family, friends or unpaid carers

·      Are looking to rebuild their confidence through regular social contact and feel more connected with their community

·      Are ready to engage with a volunteer and work towards small, achievable wellbeing goals over 12 weeks

After an initial assessment to check the individual’s suitability for the project, they will be matched with a DBS-checked volunteer for Telephone Befriending or Face-to-Face Befriending. They will then receive a weekly phone-call or visit from one of our trained volunteers who can accompany them out to build their confidence in using public transport, access community groups or services, or build their social support or mental health resilience through home-based activities. Contact sessions will last for 12 weeks maximum and will include a service review at 6-weeks and 12-weeks.

Referrals

Who can refer into this service?

Voluntary or statutory organisations can refer with the individual’s consent. Referrals must come from a professional to ensure that needs, risks and suitability for this volunteer-led service have been appropriately assessed. Self-referrals or family referrals cannot be accepted.

Suitability

Please assess the individual against the Pre-referral Information at the start of the referral form to decide if this service can meet the individual’s needs. All of the criteria listed must be met for a referral to be considered. 

Make a referal

You can access the Reaching Out referral form by clicking HERE.

If you have any queries or are not sure if a particular individual will match the referral criteria then please get in touch: Befriending@ACMorgannwg.org.uk

PLEASE NOTE: this is a service delivered primarily through volunteers and there are comprehensive checks around environmental safety and risk when placing a volunteer. Referral submission does not guarantee that the individual will match the referral criteria to receive this service.