About This Publication
The valuable experiences and good practice developed by befrienders is often lost as projects end and those working as befrienders move on. This results in new people and projects often having to reinvent the wheel. The inspirations and examples of practice demonstrated in this Lifeline should alleviate this.
This authoritative guide offers an opportunity to reflect on the scope for befriending. It considers how befriending projects operate and sets out practical approaches to all aspects of developing and delivering a befriending programme. Looking at different kinds of befriending schemes, it explores the way in which befrienders carry out their role with different target groups and provides information on recruiting, training and supporting befrienders. With examples of successful schemes, the guide explores their impact and considers the sometimes challenging relationships between befrienders and clients and working in partnership with other organisations. It includes tips and checklists from starting or reviewing befriending programmes to evaluation and the potential for future development.
This authoritative guide offers an opportunity to reflect on the scope for befriending. It considers how befriending projects operate and sets out practical approaches to all aspects of developing and delivering a befriending programme. Looking at different kinds of befriending schemes, it explores the way in which befrienders carry out their role with different target groups and provides information on recruiting, training and supporting befrienders. With examples of successful schemes, the guide explores their impact and considers the sometimes challenging relationships between befrienders and clients and working in partnership with other organisations. It includes tips and checklists from starting or reviewing befriending programmes to evaluation and the potential for future development.
Contents
| Chapter 1 | Context |
| Chapter 2 | Why befriending? Aims, objectives and alternative approaches |
| Chapter 3 | Promoting befriending – getting the message across |
| Chapter 4 | 4 Training befrienders |
| Chapter 5 | 5 The referral process |
| Chapter 6 | 6 Matching the client to the befriender |
| Chapter 7 | 7 The first visit |
| Chapter 8 | 8 Listening |
| Chapter 9 | 9 Activities |
| Chapter 10 | Befriending people with mental health difficulties |
| Chapter 11 | Befriending people who are lonely |
| Chapter 12 | Telephone befriending |
| Chapter 13 | Benefits and outcomes for clients |
| Chapter 14 | 14 Closing the befriending relationship |
| Chapter 15 | 15 Challenges to the befriender |
| Chapter 16 | 16 Partnerships and networks |
| Chapter 17 | 17 Support for befrienders |
| Chapter 18 | Monitoring and evaluating befriending projects |
| Chapter 19 | Future befriending opportunities |
| Glossary | |
| Further reading and resources |