Merton Befriending Service
Merton Befriending Service is a joint service between Age UK Merton and The Wimbledon Guild which offers a high quality befriending service for isolated older people.
Volunteers are matched with an appropriate client and visit them once a week at a mutually agreed time for about an hour just to have a chat, share an interest or, if the client has been assessed to be mobile enough go out on short outings. Telephone befriending is also offered
Volunteers are interviewed and fully inducted into the role. Two references are taken up. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is also carried out. Volunteers are regularly supervised and monitored.
When a referral is received, the Service Coordinator will contact the client to introduce the service and make arrangements for a home visit. At this visit the client will be assessed to gauge their suitability for the service. All information shared is confidential. Following this assessment, if the client is suitable for the service, we try and find a suitable volunteer match.
Website
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Age UK Merton - Befriending
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Who to contact
- Telephone
- 0208 946 0735 (Wimbledon Guild) 0208 946 0735 (Wimbledon Guild)
- [befriender@ageukmerton.org.uk, info@wimbledonguild.co.uk]
- Notes
Please visit the Age UK Merton website to download a referral form
Availability
- Referral required
- Referral Details
Welcome self-referals and referrals from anyone else for
• Merton residents
• Age 65 years and over
• Who are housebound
• And/or living alone
• And/or recently bereaved (within the last year)
• And/or with a recent diagnosis of a long term condition (in the last year)
• Who want to be befriended through once weekly visits and/or telephone calls.
• Who are socially isolated and not engaged with activities in the community.
Socially isolated people are those not in regular personal contact with family, friends, community organisations and activities.
Regular personal contact is anything greater than 3 days a week and not in a caring capacity. Carers may be in regular contact with family but this is not regarded as “regular personal contact”.Priority will be given to those who are BOTH housebound and living alone.
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