 | What does it do?Not everyone is fortunate enough to have friendship, social inclusion and the support that goes with it. The Age Concern Reading Befriending Service aims to improve the quality of life for older people who live in the Reading area.
Volunteers provide friendship and support either by regular personal visits or telephone calls.
People wishing to join the scheme (clients) are contacted by the co-ordinator and "matched" with a volunteer. Where personal visits are required the client and the volunteer are introduced to each other by the co-ordinator. Regular visits are then arranged. In cases of telephone befriending the co-ordinator will put the volunteer and client in touch with each other.
All volunteers are interviewed and references obtained. A Criminal Record Bureau check is also made before a volunteer can participate in personal visit befriending. |