Loneliness is considered one of the biggest health challenges in the UK. In 2022, 49.63% of adults (25.99 million people) in the UK reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always. Chronic loneliness has also risen by 1.1% to 3.8 million since 2020, indicating that loneliness levels have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Loneliness doesn’t just affect older people. Levels of loneliness are higher in young people.  Analysis of ONS data by Campaign to End Loneliness shows that those aged between 16-29 are over two times as likely to report feeling lonely often or always than those over 70, with those aged between 30-49 close behind.

One way to help tackle loneliness is through befriending programmes. There are a number of charities across Sefton who are looking for volunteer befrienders to help people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds feel less lonely.

Not sure if befriending is for you? Read the testimonials below:

Volunteer Telephone Befriender with Brighter Living Partnership, John, aged 59, spoke about the difference the role has made to his life:

“Being a befriender has taken the focus of my own health struggles and issues. There are always people worse off. It gives me great pleasure to know that my phone calls can; reduce isolation, feelings of loneliness and to increase their overall wellbeing. I hope my story encourages others with time on their hands. A simple phone call can make a difference in someone else’s life”.

Here are just some of the organisations in Sefton looking for volunteer befrienders:

Brighter Living Partnership

Based in Southport, Brighter Living Partnership is looking for volunteers who can become a befriender in the Southport area. Befrienders will be matched with a client with the purpose of them spending approximately 1 hour a week for a minimum of 6 months, having a chat, going for coffee or some other social activity. They also have a men’s befriending project as well as looking for shopping buddies.

Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side

The Alzheimer’s Society is looking for volunteers for their Side by Side project in Sefton. Befriending Volunteers provide one-to-one support to enable people with dementia to continue with their hobbies and interest or engage in new ones.

Re-engage

Re-engage is a charity that aims to alleviate loneliness for older people. To do this they need volunteers to help with their older person’s tea parties. They are also looking for volunteers to be telephone befrienders for older people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Community Connectors

Could you work alongside Community Connectors in helping people over the age of 18 in your local community to get out and about to access groups/activities and services? Then join Sefton’s Community Connectors as a volunteer and help isolated people engage in their local community, build confidence and encourage them to make their own connections. No experience is necessary for the role, nor is a driving licence – Community Champion volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and personal circumstances.

NYAS – Befriender for a child in care

Could you make a difference in a child’s life? National children’s rights charity NYAS need motivated, child-focused volunteers to befriend young people who would benefit from a trusted adult friend outside of the system. You don’t need any special qualifications but patience, flexibility, determination to make a difference and a non-judgmental attitude are essential.

Deafblind telephone befriending

Deafblind UK is looking for telephone befrienders. This can be done from home and is highly flexible. They offer a free telephone befriending service to members where they match volunteers with members to have a weekly 30-minute chat together. They are also looking for volunteers to do wellbeing check-in calls and can offer volunteering opportunities to those who have Level 2 counselling qualifications

St Joseph’s Hospice

Saint Joseph’s Hospice is always looking for befrienders for their hospital patients. Activities can include sitting, talking, or reading with patients, or taking patients out into the hospice grounds.