We operate the Befriending Service throughout the county for people aged over 60, who may be suffering from the effects of loneliness or social isolation.

We offer a number of Befriending options so you can choose which one suits your needs:

Home Befriending - we can offer you companionship through a weekly home visit. Where possible you will be matched to a volunteer who shares similar interests and they will visit you for one hour every week. It's a perfect opportunity for you to relax in your own home and have a good catch up over a nice cup of tea.
 
Telephone Befriending - we can offer you a weekly telephone call for a friendly chat from a volunteer or the local Befriending Co-ordinator.  

Active Befriending - if you are looking for someone to share your hobbies and interests with, spending an evening at the opera, an afternoon cheering on your local football team or to stroll to the shops, this new service is for you. We can offer you a volunteer who will visit you up to once a week and accompany you on an agreed activity. The activites will be based around your individual needs and could vary from a one-off concert or play, a trip to a local club or library or leisure activities such as yoga or tai chi. Your volunteer may also be able to accompany you on an occasional visit to your local doctors or hospital.
 
Peer Support - Peer Support offers you the opportunity to meet new people and helps you build a network of friends. Your local Co-ordinator will meet with you to discuss your needs and match you with someone who shares your interests. It will then be over to you to manage your friendship. You can either catch up over the phone, pop round for a cuppa or meet up for lunch - the choice is yours. 

We operate the Befriending Service throughout the county for people aged over 60, who may be suffering from the effects of loneliness or social isolation.

Local service (Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Southend-on-Sea, Tendring, Thurrock, Uttlesford, Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Rochford).

This serviceis completely free of charge

Please contact your nearest office if you would like to find out more about our Befriending services. Our offices are open on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 16:00 on Friday. 
 
North East Essex
Tel: 01255 421 302
Email: allison.vickers@ageukessex.org.uk 
 
West Essex
Tel: 01245 423 336
Email: elizabeth.petrie@ageukessex.org.uk 

South East and South West Essex
Tel: 01268 525 353
Email: ann.sparks@ageukessex.org.uk (service manager)
Email: trish.mcmeekin@ageukessex.org.uk 

Mid Essex
Tel: 01621 843590
Email: sue.fletcher@ageukessex.org.uk

Thurrock 
Tel: 01708 866 684 
Email: ruby.summers@ageukessex.org.uk

To contact  the service delivery manager  
Tel: 07717 558 103
Email: diane.nicola@ageukessex.org.uk

08/08/2014