Befriending Week Blog 1: #BefriendingIs…

This week, 1-7 November, is Befriending Week 2021! To celebrate, our volunteer befrienders reflect on what befriending is and why they do it.

#BefriendingIs…   

“Helping someone who needs a little help and being there for someone, even if it’s just talking to them.” (Paula)

“Knowing that you are there for someone, knowing that they look forward to you ringing and having a chat.” (Paul)

“A unique and special relationship offering the opportunity to make a difference and have a positive impact on someone’s life.” (Katherine)

I enjoy befriending because…

“It is lovely to be able to offer a little bit of my time a week to just chat and listen to another human being. What started out for me as a voluntary service has now turned into a lovely friendship!” (Mandy)

“I genuinely want to help these people. I believe in what I am doing. The support and thanks I get from Mind in Bradford encourages me to keep on doing it – it’s a feeling of belonging for me as well.” (Paul)

“I care and I want to help. It makes me smile when I can help someone to smile.” (Paula)

I signed up because…

“I wanted to help people like myself who are struggling mentally, however that may be. I want to be able to let them know that there is light at the end of that dark tunnel!” (Becky)

“Everybody needs at least one person in their life that they can talk to and share how they think and feel.” (Paula)

“I wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. After the tough time we all had during the lockdowns, I knew some individuals would have struggled with their mental health more than others. This ignited my interest in becoming a volunteer befriender for Mind in Bradford.” (Maria)

The post Befriending Week Blog 1: #BefriendingIs… first appeared on Mind in Bradford.