Befriender - Birchwood Highland

Ref 44 - 1009

Birchwood Highland offers befriending opportunities in our four operation locations i.e. Inverness, Easter Ross, Caithness and Lochaber.  Our aim is to support people through mental ill health towards mental well-being.  By becoming a befriender, you could help to reduce the isolation mental ill health can sometimes bring and help another individual to regain their independance and lead a fuller life.

Befrienders offer support and form one-to one relationships with persons who may be lonely or isolated through their (mental) ill health.
A befriender aims to improve and extend an individual's social network, and help them become more involved and feel included in the their own community.
It involves: meeting your friend regularly to gain confidence and take part in mutually agreed social activity; helping your friend to gain confidence in social settings; encouraging the developing of a warm, mutual and respectful relationship.
You will be offered a regular support and supervision meeting with the service co-ordinator, to whom you will be able to refer any difficulties or concerns.

(Dependant on location, initial training and introductions are done at the Service Office.  Thereafter the befriender & befriendee can arrange to meet at a mutually convenient location subject to approval.)