BeFriend
What is BeFriend?
BeFriend is a project of Berwickshire Housing Association, part funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland.
We provide one to one befriending and group activities for people who are 65 and over, living in Berwickshire or Kelso.
If you are feeling isolated or lonely or would like to become a volunteer befriender, please contact us on 0800 652 8104 (freephone) or email BeFriend@berwickshirehousing.org.uk
Our volunteers and staff are vetted, fully screened, and supported.
Our trained and vetted volunteers visit or call people who feel lonely and isolated, offering companionship, a chat, a chance to go out for coffee, or even a walk around the park. The people we visit really feel the benefit to their physical and mental wellbeing.
As well as one-to-one befriending, we offer the chance to attend group activities which are organised around community events, craft sessions, music, quizzes, and Therapets.
What about volunteering?
Being a volunteer befriender is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It gives you a chance to be a friend to someone who really needs companionship and someone to talk to.
You can be a one-to-one befriender, a telephone befriender, a driver, or you can help out at our group events.
Full training and expenses are provided.
Got a couple of hours a week to spare, to help out a lonely and isolated older person? Get in touch to find out more!”
Keep up the good work, I love volunteering for the project, it’s very rewarding.
The service works brilliantly for me. It’s helped me come out of my shell and get to other activities
I would have no social interaction if it wasn’t for BeFriend.
Joe is not only my befriender, he is my friend.
My volunteer is charming and has become a firm friend, I would miss her if I lost her.
Our volunteer, Mary, is very knowledgeable and has a good understanding of how to interact with my mother. She has introduced games and activities that my mother was previously reluctant to do.
Everyone at the befriend project have all gone out of their way to make me feel part of life again.
The only people who come to see me are carers, two friends, and my befriender.
Get in touch with BeFriend
You can contact the BeFriend team using the contact details below:
Address
Berwickshire Housing Association
55 Newtown Street
Duns
Berwickshire
TD11 3AU
Phone #1
0800 652 8104
Email #1
info@berwickshirehousing.org.uk
Opening Hours
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Monday
8:45 am - 5:00 pm
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Tuesday
8:45 am - 5:00 pm
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Wednesday
10:30 am - 5:00 pm
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Thursday
8:45 am - 5:00 pm
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Friday
8:45 am - 4:00 pm
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Saturday
Closed
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Sunday
Closed
* All BHA staff are on a hybrid work model. Do contact our mainline, if you wish to speak to our staff during our opening hours.