The Focus Befriending Scheme has been established to support people who are living with mental health distress in the community. The main purpose of the scheme is to reach individuals who are socially isolated, and provide a stable and supportive relationship with a "Befriender". The direction and detail of this relationship will be determined by the client, but will primarily focus on giving that person regular, "everyday" social contact.
The scheme relies on trained and supervised volunteers acting as "Befrienders", and is based at Activ8's premises in central Hastings.
Referral Criteria
The Focus Befriending Scheme is an additional support service - it is expected that people who wish to be referred to the scheme will already have formal support in place.
If you wish to join the scheme, do you…?
…Live in Hastings or St. Leonards
…Have current and on-going support from mental health services
…Experience social isolation
If yes to all three, contact your Care Co-ordinator or Support Worker, and ask to be referred.
Referral Process
Once a referral form has been completed and sent to us, the following four steps will take place.
The Scheme Co-ordinator will assess the written application
The Coordinator will then arrange to visit you, to get to know a little more about you and discuss your needs and interests
You will then be placed on the matching list - this is where the Coordinator aims to find the most suitable person to act as your Befriender
Finally, an initial three-way meeting will be arranged - you, the Coordinator and your potential Befriender
The Befriending
Then, your Befriending relationship has started - it is up to you and your Befriender to decide how you want to spend your time. It is usual to meet once a week for up to a couple of hours, but this is negotiable.Your Befriending relationship initially will last up to one year, and you will receive regular input from the Scheme Co-ordinator, who you can also contact at any other time if there are any issues you wish to discuss.
Towards the end of the year, you will be invited to review the relationship, and consider your next steps.
For more details, please contact:
Laurence Dodd
Scheme Co-ordinator
Activ8
5 - 6, Trinity Street
Hastings
01424 442435
laurence@activ8network.org
Click here to download the referral form.
Would you be interested in becoming a befriender? Click here for more details.