What is CarelinK Befriending Scheme?

Carelink Befrienders provide companionship and a listening ear for people feeling isolated or lonely either during a face-to-face visit or by telephone call. Befrienders are volunteers recruited from the local community and receive training to carry out their role.

Who can use the scheme?

The service is for adults living in Keighley postcodes BD20, BD21 and BD22.

How does it work?

People are referred to the service by health and social care professionals, family or people can refer themselves. Carelink staff will match them up with a trained and vetted volunteer or member of staff for a weekly chat.

What do Befrienders do?

Befriending volunteers visit or call people for a chat, to play cards/games or perhaps to go for a short stroll.

How often do Befrienders visit?

Visits are for an hour and calls are generally from 20 minutes to an hour each week.

How much does the service cost?

Carelink Befriending is a FREE service thanks to funding we receive from the Lottery Reaching Communities Fund and Bradford council.

What to expect:

- Once someone has been referred to Carelink we will call them to discuss the service and take their details.
- We will introduce the person to one of our Befrienders as soon as an appropriate volunteer is available.
- The same Befriender will visit or call every week for up to an hour, at a mutually agreeable time.
- The Befriending relationship can continue for as long as it suits the needs of the client and the availability of the volunteer.
- The Befriending relationship will continue to be monitored by the project coordinator.
- Carelink can also offer help with: dog walking, deliveries of books, games or DVD’s though our charity shop, doorstep welfare checks, as well as information and advice.

Befriending Volunteers

- We have a full recruitment process including an application form, references, a DBS check and training.
- Volunteers are supported throughout their role by Carelink staff and are invited to quarterly gatherings with staff and volunteers.
- Volunteers receive expenses for travel, but we are unable to pay expenses for telephone calls.
- Carelink volunteers have gone on to find careers in care work.

How does CarelinK work?

Older people can refer themselves to CarelinK or can be referred by anyone who is involved with their care.

When a person is referred, we will visit them at home to discuss their needs.

We will introduce the person to one of our befrienders as soon as an appropriate volunteer is available.

The same befriender will visit, usually for an hour or so each week, at a mutually agreeable time.

The befriending relationship can continue for as long as it suits the needs of the client and the availability of the volunteer.

The befriending relationship will continue to be monitored by the project co-ordinator.

Older people can become isolated for various reasons such as:

Bereavement

Ill- health

Reduced mobility

Following a stay in hospital

When relatives move away

Loss of confidence