Approximately 20% of adults in Waltham Forest—around 55,000 people —said they regularly feel lonely.
And over 60% said they don't have as much social contact as they'd like.
Our new community-based befriending service in Waltham Forest is available now to offer friendship and connection to those feeling lonely or isolated.
Our Community Support Workers will be coordinating a team of volunteer befrienders to provide one-to-one relationships to those in need, backed by a plan of group support and activities.
A new friend
Volunteers offer friendship to people who are lonely or isolated from the wider community
Trained and supported
Our volunteer befrienders receive full training and ongoing support to ensure they can help as much as possible
Group activities
Support and fun activities for larger groups help to bring people together in supportive networks
Signposting and support
Our team provide information on other useful programmes and can help with accessing local services
How we're creating community
Make a referral
Make a new friend today!
We’re now accepting referrals for those in need of a friend.
We accept self-referrals, referrals of a friend or family member, or from professionals.
- Aged over 18
- A resident of Waltham Forest
- Have an existing relationship with social care
Be a friend
Become a volunteer befriender!
If you’d like volunteer some of your time each week and become one of our befrienders, sign up today!
- Aged over 18
- A resident of Waltham Forest
Got questions? Want to find out more about befriending?
Give us a call on
More information about being a volunteer befriender
- We'll get you an enhanced DBS certificate prior to any befriending begins.
- We'll ensure you meet with your befriendee at an agreed frequency in a suitable location
- We'll develop a bespoke Befriending Plan for you and your befriendee that identifies the goals for the befriending and allows you to record progress and feedback.
- Your befriending relationship will last for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extending for an additional six months subject to review.
- You and your befriendee will be expected to take part in our events and group activities on a regular basis where possible.
- We'll carry out regular monitoring and supervision of your befriending to ensure we best support both you and your befriendee.
- We'll cover your travel expenses on provision of receipts.
Recent updates about Community Befriending
