01478 272058 or 07522544280
Referrals
Anyone can feel lonely and isolated at times. Befriending can improve a persons social contact, help build friendships and open up a range of activities leading to increased community connections.
Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh services are provided free of charge and are supported by Highland Hospice Helping Hands, NHS Highland and Eilean a' Cheò Council Ward 10. Anyone can refer a person to our service family members, GP’s, health visitors, nurses etc.
To chat about making a referral contact our Befriending Coordinator, Claire, on 01478272058 or email befrienders@slcvo.org.uk.
You can download our referral form here
Referral Process - what to expect
Volunteer befrienders visit, telephone or meet with people referred to our service to provide company and friendship, they do not provide personal care, undertake domestic tasks, such as cooking and cleaning or supply transport services.
All volunteer befrienders undergo Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks and receive relevant training developed in conjunction with Highland Hospice and the Befrienders Network of which we are a member.
When a referral has been made our Befriending Coordinator will contact the person referred to find out more about their interests and needs. If the service is suitable, we will look to match the referred person to a volunteer with similar interests. When a volunteer match has been made, an initial meeting will be scheduled for the coordinator to introduce the Befriender volunteer to the befriendee.
If either the volunteer or befriendee feel that the match does not work then we will look for another. if both parties are happy with the match then they will organise their next visit at a mutually convenient time. It is expected that our volunteers visit for 1 to 2 hours every fortnight.
All referrers will receive information on the outcome of their referral
Monitoring and Reporting
Befriender Feedback
Befriender Volunteers are required to submit a monthly timesheet via our online portal. The Coordinator will check in with you via email on a monthly basis and occasionally we may use other formats, such as questionnaires, to seek further feedback about your experience as a volunteer. We use this information to provide feedback to our partners and funders and to monitor the service to ensure its the best it can be.
Client Review/Feedback
Clients reviews take place every six months, the Coordinator arrange to visit with you to have a discussion about your experience. Occasionally we may ask for feedback in other formats, such as questionnaires.