Befriending Service
Compassionate Befriending Services from Careline Home Support
At Careline Home Support, we understand how important friendship, conversation, and companionship are to daily life. Many older people in the United Kingdom experience periods of social isolation, loneliness, or a lack of regular social interaction. Our befriending service offers older adults the chance to stay connected, enjoy meaningful chats, and feel supported in the comfort of their own home.
Whether you are searching for a befriending service for the elderly, a volunteer companion for elderly loved ones, or paid befriending services near me, our team provides a reliable and personal solution.
What Is a Befriending Service?
A befriending service is designed to provide companionship for elderly people who may be lonely, socially isolated, or simply in need of a friendly face. Unlike traditional care services, befriending focuses on building genuine connections. A befriender can visit on a regular basis, make regular phone calls, or even provide online befriending for those who are more comfortable with digital contact.
It is about more than just company. Befriending can make a real difference to a person’s wellbeing, supporting mental health, encouraging independence, and offering practical support such as accompanying them to social groups or community activities.
Why Befriending Services Matter
Loneliness affects many older people across the UK. According to research by Age UK, older adults are at greater risk of social isolation, particularly if they live alone, have mobility issues, or are bereaved. A listening ear, a phone call, or a visit each week can have significant benefits, helping someone feel valued and cared for.
A befriender can:
- Provide companionship and regular chats.
- Reduce social isolation and combat loneliness.
- Support mental health by encouraging positivity.
- Help an older person stay connected with their community.
- Offer comfort and reassurance to family members who live further away.
Compassionate elderly visiting services for your loved ones.
Our Befriending Services
Careline Home Support provides a flexible range of befriending services to suit individual needs. We understand that no two people are the same, so our services are built around what makes someone feel comfortable and supported.
One-to-One Befriending
A one to one befriending service means that an older person can enjoy dedicated companionship from a volunteer befriender or trained member of staff. This could involve weekly visits, friendly phone calls, or in person meetings for tea, conversation, or a short walk.
Sitting Service
Our sitting service provides companionship and reassurance at home, giving carers and family members peace of mind. This allows loved ones to take a break, knowing someone trusted is spending time with their relative.
Regular Phone Calls
Sometimes, a phone call is all it takes to brighten someone’s day. Our telephone befriending service offers regular phone calls that help people stay connected and feel less lonely. These calls can be daily or weekly, depending on the needs of the person.
Online Befriending
For older adults who are comfortable using technology, we can arrange online befriending through video chats. This option helps people who cannot have visitors still enjoy social interaction and companionship.
Visits at Home
Our befriending service often includes home visits. A befriender can spend time with someone in their own home, talking, playing games, reading together, or simply offering company.
Accompanying to Community Activities
Where possible, a befriender can also accompany someone to local charities, social groups, or community events. This helps older adults remain active and connected.
Who Can Benefit from Befriending Services?
Befriending is particularly helpful for:
- Older people living alone who are feeling lonely or socially isolated.
- Adults with learning disabilities who benefit from regular companionship.
- People managing dementia who find comfort in routine social interaction.
- Carers who need a break while a friendly volunteer provides companionship.
- Family members who live at a distance and want reassurance their loved ones are supported.
Many older people in the UK face challenges as they age. Befriending helps reduce loneliness and offers the chance to build new friends, boosting overall wellbeing and quality of life.
The Benefits of Befriending
Befriending has wide-ranging benefits for both the person receiving support and their loved ones.
- Companionship: Regular chats and visits provide meaningful company for the elderly.
- Improved Wellbeing: Staying socially engaged supports both physical health and mental health.
- Practical Support: Befrienders can accompany people to appointments or community activities.
- Peace of Mind: Family members know their loved ones have support on a regular basis.
- Independence: A befriending service helps older adults stay independent in their own home.
Find out more about our befriending service for the elderly today.
Volunteer Befrienders and Paid Befriending Services
Some befriending services in the UK are provided by local charities such as Age UK or the Silver Line. These organisations often rely on friendly volunteers to provide a listening ear or make regular phone calls.
At Careline Home Support, we can provide both volunteer befriender support and paid befriending services depending on personal needs. A trained volunteer can spend time chatting, while our professional carers can combine befriending with practical care and support.
Befriending Services Near Me
When searching for befriending services near me, it is important to choose an organisation that is local, trusted, and able to tailor support. Careline Home Support delivers befriending services in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and surrounding areas.
By engaging a private befriending service, you can ensure your loved ones receive companionship from someone who will make a real difference to their daily life.
How Befriending Supports Mental Health
Loneliness can negatively affect mental health. A lack of social interaction can increase stress, anxiety, and low mood. Befriending provides consistent support, helping older adults feel connected, valued, and happier.
Studies show that regular companionship and phone calls reduce the risk of depression in older adults, improving overall wellbeing. Something as simple as chatting over a cup of tea each week can combat loneliness and help people feel more positive.
Befriending and Dementia Care
For people living with dementia, familiarity and routine are essential. A regular visit from a volunteer befriender can help maintain comfort and reduce confusion. A familiar friendly face provides reassurance and gives family members confidence that their loved one has regular social support.
Support your loved one with our befriending service for adults.
Working with Other Organisations and Local Charities
At Careline Home Support, we recognise the valuable role of local charities, Age UK, and other organisations that provide free or volunteer-based befriending. We work alongside these services when appropriate, ensuring older adults receive the right combination of practical support and companionship.
Staying Independent and Connected
Our befriending services encourage older adults to stay independent and socially engaged. Whether through in person visits, telephone befriending services, or online befriending, we make it easier to stay connected.
We believe everyone deserves to feel included, valued, and supported. That is why we are committed to offering a compassionate befriending service that adapts to each person’s life.
How to Arrange a Befriending Service
Engaging a befriending service with Careline Home Support is straightforward:
- Initial Enquiry – Contact our friendly team to discuss your needs.
- Assessment – We will arrange a free home visit to understand what kind of companionship and support would be most helpful.
- Matching – A suitable befriender will be introduced, ensuring they are someone your loved one will feel comfortable with.
- Regular Visits or Calls – We agree a schedule, whether weekly visits, daily phone calls, or a sitting service.
- Ongoing Support – We review the arrangement on a regular basis to ensure the person feels happy and supported.
Bring comfort and support with our befriending services.
Why Choose Careline Home Support?
- Trusted provider of care and companionship across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Falkirk.
- Experienced in supporting older people, older adults, and those with dementia.
- Flexible services tailored to each person’s life, from a weekly phone call to daily visits.
- A commitment to reducing loneliness and making a real difference in the community.
Get in Touch
If you are looking for a befriending service for the elderly or want to find out more about companionship for elderly loved ones, Careline Home Support is here to help.
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and discover how our befriending service can provide companionship, combat loneliness, and help older people stay independent in their own home.
