Befriending Criteria

The Volunteer Action Befriending Scheme
Whilst we would ideally love to help all applicants, as our resources are limited, an assessment will be made, and preference will be given to individuals with the greatest need.

Guidelines for acceptance:
The manager will make the final decision but will be guided by the following and take account of recommendations from our assessor and administrator.

In principle, our befriending is available to people who meet the following general criteria:

ESSENTIAL:

you live in our catchment area which is within North East Northamptonshire, with Collyweston and Easton-on-the-Hill to the north and Thrapston to the South
your opportunities to go out and about are limited by age, mobility or other mental or physical health needs
you are over 18

OUR ASSESSMENT WILL INCLUDE:

how often you can get out
how often you have a visitor (including family) come to your home
your own view of feeling lonely or isolated

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN:

to those who are most often alone based on that assessment BUT we do support carers who may have little opportunity to form independent relationships
to those for whom dementia or other mental health issues are not so great as to make forming a meaningful relationship difficult

YOU ARE UNLIKELY TO MEET OUR CRITERIA IF:

you have serious mental health, personality or behavioural problems
you are suffering with moderate to severe dementia and unable to remember appointment times or form a rewarding relationship with a volunteer
you are experiencing a temporary crisis
we feel you are already well supported compared to others in need of our help

GET IN TOUCH
If you would like us to contact you about having a visitor then please ring Volunteer Action on 01832 275433, or email: admin@volunteeractionoundle.org.uk