The Befriending Scheme

The Befriending Scheme provides friendship and learning opportunities for adults from vulnerable groups, including those with mental health needs and older people, as well as our existing members with learning disabilities. We also offer various volunteering opportunities with extra support for those who need it. Founded as a registered charity in 1989 as West Suffolk Befriending Scheme, our core activities are running regular drop-in centres, now known as Hubs, building meaningful 1-to-1 friendships between vulnerable people and volunteer befrienders, evening Befrienders Clubs and Saturday morning groups. We also run one-off themed activity days, workshops and social events as well as providing volunteer training and support for carers across the county.