Befriending is being kind and helping others
Serve is a voulntary organisation that delivers a countywide befriending service through a network of trained volunteer supporters.
Research shows that older people living on their own risk loneliness and social isolation. They also need more emotional support and companionship. Serve's befriending service aims to significantly reduce social isolation and improve the mental health of people who are aged over 65.
Over the past year, Serve has been working with our county's Integrated Care Across Northamptonshire (iCAN) programme to reach out to older people who may be lonely.
At the end of the first year of working together, there has been
- 536 referrals received
- 370 befriendees receiving a volunteer befriender
- 236 active volunteer befrienders
You can find out much more about Serve's befriending service on their website.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to refer someone, please contact Jonathan Cook, Countywide Befriending Manager.