This service is now closed to new clients. If you require a Befriending Service then please contact:
- Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/wales/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
- Cruse – https://www.cruse.org.uk/
- Age Cymru Dyfed – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/dyfed/
- Age Cymru – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/
...Let us make a connection with you
- Are you feeling lonely?
- Isolated?
- Would you like to have someone call you for a chat?
We have a wonderful team of volunteers who are available to telephone you.
Everyone matters and we want you to feel supported.
Thanks to an influx of eager volunteers, in March 2020, CAVS set up a phoneline befriending service for shielding and self-isolating people in the community.
Over 100 volunteers and 9 volunteer co-ordinators were recruited through Volunteering Wales and by word of mouth. All were an unbelievable asset – with such experience as well as commitment and time to offer.
Proving that volunteering ‘fits’ with a broad spectrum of our county residents.
- Referrals are made by the local authority, Delta Wellbeing (local authority owned provider of technology related care and support) and by local voluntary organisations such as Age Cymru Dyfed, and Carers Trust.
- Volunteers are then allocated by CAVS staff on the basis of clients’ requirements. Some volunteers have recognised counselling skills, for example.
- Some clients just want someone to chat to, others have more complex needs.
The service is for any age and has, for instance, helped younger people with anxiety or other mental health issues and has worked with homeless people and with those with issues relating to alcohol and substance misuse.
“We have had many more volunteers than people requiring the service (95 to date). However, most of the volunteers are still with us, despite some of them not have yet been asked to call anyone. Once the shielding requirement ends, we may find people becoming anxious about stepping outside the door and wanting to talk with someone.
CAVS also provides the necessary backup support for volunteers and, through its contacts with CUSP partners and with the local Community Connector Plus, can access whatever support or information is required”.
Jackie Dorrian, CAVS Health and Wellbeing Officer
For further information please contact: jackie.dorrian@cavs.org.uk or phone 01267 245555.
