Intergenerational Befriending workshop

1. Intergenerational
Befriending
29th April 2015

2. “Befriending is a relationship between a
trained volunteer and an isolated or lonely
individual (befriendee), which is initiated,
supported and monitored by a voluntary
or statutory agency”
Definition of befriending

3. Befriending is … (yes / no / maybe)
1. Just like friendship
2. A way to provide respite for the befriendee’s carer
3. Focused mainly on building a good relationship
between the befriender and the befriendee
4. Giving advice to befriendees about lifestyle and
behaviour

4. Befriending and friendship
Befriending involves creating and
maintaining a personal relationship,
so there are obviously elements of
friendship present in a befriending
relationship.

5. Befriending and friendship
However, there are important
differences. Whilst friendly, it is a
professional relationship governed by
boundaries and carried out in line with
the outcomes of the supervising
organisation.

6. It’s all about the relationship
The relationship itself is the main focus of
a befriending relationship. This is why
good communication skills and an open,
empathic attitude are the most
important characteristics of a befriender.

7. Giving advice
Befrienders and coordinators of
befriending services often
provide useful information about
health and lifestyle to
befriendees if requested.

8. Giving advice
However, this is very different from giving
advice and it is not part of the befriender’s
role to give advice about any aspect of
lifestyle or behaviour even if they are an
expert in that field in their professional
life.

9. Befriending is … (yes / no / maybe)
5. Focused on supporting the befriendee to reach
certain goals
6. The key to solving all the befriendee’s problems
7. Giving help with practical tasks and problems
8. About the befriender as much as about the
befriendee

10. Befriending and goals
Befriending is about the relationship and
the quality of the time spent together.
Many personal goals may be achieved as a
result of the increased confidence and
wellbeing which this relationship brings …

11. Befriending and goals
… and befrienders can be
instrumental in supporting
befriendees to resolve practical
issues, BUT these are all essentially a
by-product of the relationship itself.

12. The scope of befriending
Befriending can have a powerful positive
impact on the life of an isolated or lonely
person, but it is important not to make
promises which are either too wide or too
specific to be realistically fulfilled.

13. Befriending and the befriender
It is essential that the relationship is right
for the befriender too. Coordinators need
to check in regularly with befrienders to
make sure they’re happy with how things
are going.

14. Befriending is … (yes / no / maybe)
9. An informal way of providing counselling or
therapy
10. Providing a relationship that others in the
client’s life can not
11. Something a befriendee can turn to in an
emergency
12. Something which essentially only involves two
people – the befriender and the befriendee

15. Befriending is unique
Befriending services work with people
who lack meaningful informal social
relationships. The essential support
they provide is usually not available to
befriendees in any other form.

16. Not an emergency service
Befriending is a long-term, preventative
intervention. Though befrienders need to
be trained on how to respond should an
emergency arise while they are with their
befriender ….

17. Not an emergency service
… organisations must make it
clear to befriendees and
befrienders alike that
befrienders are not there to be
called upon I an emergency.

18. Models of befriending delivery
Face-to-face:
1:1
Groups
Distance:
Telephone
Email / letter
Intergenerational Projects:
Residential setting
Befrienders in groups
???
The future of befriending is waiting to be
written!
Delivery models

19. VOLUNTARY ACTION
ORKNEY
Adult Befriending
Service
Linsey Drever
Co-Ordinator

20. Long
Waiting List
Starting out

21. Get Together For a Yarn

22. New project
CONNECT- open to young people
who are 16-19, who are unsure of
what steps to take next or are not
ready to move on to employment
or further education.

23. TRAINING

27. YOUNG SCOT AWARD WINNER 2014

28. COGNITIVE STIMULATION THERAPY
Topsy “ Really enjoys
the sessions and likes
meeting everybody”
Bella “She enjoys us
coming up”
Bessie “ Thinks we are
always perfect and
that we make their
day. 1-2-3 and a hop!

29. Guiding Principles
The skills and experience of CST group facilitators are integral to the effective running of
sessions. There are 18 'Key Principles' which facilitators must incorporate into sessions:
Mental stimulation
New ideas, thoughts and associations
Using orientation, both sensitively and implicitly
Opinions rather than facts
Using reminiscence as an aid to the here-and-now
Providing triggers to aid recall
Continuity and consistency between sessions
Implicit (rather than explicit) learning
Stimulating language
Stimulating executive functioning
Person-centredness
Respect
Involvement
Inclusion
Choice
Fun
Maximising potential
Building / strengthening relationships

30. Below is a comment from Carl (age 16) who attends
The Connect Project –
“……..I like the befriending sessions because I learn
from the residents and enjoy meeting new people. I
have suffered from panic attacks in the past but
going to the befriending sessions has helped to ease
these greatly. I think the residents enjoy our
company and like to mix with the younger
generation”…………
And from Sandy (age 16)
“…….. I think what we gain from Befriending is more
self-confidence with speaking to new people as well as
communication skills. They gain more interaction from
a different generation which they share their stories
from experiences through their life”……

31. “THE WRATH OF THE GLUE DOTS”!

32. Thank You!
QUESTIONS?

33. The benefits of befriending
Increased confidence and self-
esteem
Increased involvement with
communities
More able to manage challenges of
everyday life

34. The benefits of befriending
More cohesive and integrated communities
communities
Less pressure on health and social care
services
Reductions in rates of crime, homelessness,
substance abuse and suicide

35. The benefits of intergenerational befriending
Greater communication and understanding between young and old
Befrienders learn skills from past they have no other way of learning about. They
impart ‘modern’ skills which will be useful to the befriendee
Befriendees enjoy knowing that their skills and knowledge are appreciated. They
gain practical knowledge of of new skills

36. Discussion questions
 What might be the benefits to your client group of developing an
intergenerational befriending project?
 What do you think would be the main challenges facing your
organisation in developing an intergenerational project? What
resources would you need to overcome them?
 What three actions could you take in the next month towards the
development of an intergenerational befriending project?

37. Intergenerational
Befriending
www.befriending.co.uk
www.vaorkney.org.uk