Together Co Befriending

We are a social health and loneliness charity that creates connections to change lives. We do this through our befriending, social prescribing and volunteering services in Brighton & Hove, and by sharing our ideas and expertise nationally.

The aim of Together Co Befriending is to provide volunteer befriending services to people who are experiencing isolation and loneliness so that they can maintain contact with their local community.

We work with people who are socially isolated, but specifically:
- people aged 50+ with limited to no social connections
- people aged 18+ with health conditions causing isolation
- carers of either of these groups

Our volunteers commit to an hour or so once a week or fortnight. Their main role is to provide companionship and to develop a relationship through regular befriending visits. This largely involves visiting for tea and a chat; but could include sharing a meal, reading aloud, playing games, or helping someone with their paperwork. Once a relationship has developed, they might go out for walks or do some local shopping together.

We also offer telephone befriending as an alternative to in-person visits, and host regular befriending social groups throughout the city.