CHARITY bosses are calling for volunteer befrienders and people who would like company to come forward.

A unique partnership between Elderpark Housing and the No.1 Befriending Agency has been working to tackle isolation and loneliness in communities for more than two years.

Now face-to face meetings have returned, the vital service has been relaunched.

The Glasgow-based agency recruits volunteers to telephone and visit isolated older people and spend some time with them to have a chat, a cup of tea, and to hear their stories.

Befriending calls and visits are helpful in tackling the problem of loneliness and isolation, because they show people that others care about them and that they have somebody that they can talk to.

Befrienders can also serve as a link to a wider network of support available for vulnerable people and can ring the alarm bells if, for example, a person experiences any undue harm. 

For people without family members close by, this support can be invaluable.

It also runs group befriending sessions where volunteers and befrienders can get together both in person and online.

Now with face-to-face meetings back, both Elderpark Housing and The No.1 Befriending Agency are encouraging people to become involved.

Glasgow Times:

Jonathan Giddings-Reid, community regeneration officer at Elderpark Housing, said: “We are delighted to have fully resumed our link-up with the No.1 Befriending Agency and applaud the way it continued to deliver a befriending service during the last two years – adapting to a more phone and digital-focused approach.

“But nothing beats the interaction of face-to-face friendship." 

The link-up was forged in February 2020 thanks to funding obtained by Elderpark Housing from the Investing in Communities Fund set up by the Scottish Government.

This came immediately prior to the first pandemic lockdown and while the befriending work continued much of it was done over the phone and online with a strong focus being on digital connectivity over the last two years.

Shonagh Hendry, operations manager at the No.1 Befriending Agency, added: ”At the No.1 Befriending Agency, with our experience of partnership working with Elderpark Housing Association, we are excited to look forward and hopefully work in this manner with other housing associations.”

Two of those attending a recent event were Wanda Stalinska and Ela Belczak - both of whom are originally from Poland. 

They both signed up for the service over a cup of tea.

Wanda said: “This is a great idea. We enjoyed coming along to learn more. 

"We were delighted to receive the befriending offer and look forward to meeting new people.”