HOW DO WE WORK?

People are referred to us by social workers, community psychiatric nurses, and family doctors, or they can refer themselves. They are then matched with our Befrienders, who keep in contact with users by visiting them or by telephone. We have two groups of Befrienders, one in Keynsham and one in Winford. Volunteers are recruited locally and attend a preparation course of talks and discussions before becoming Befrienders. Befrienders are given continuing support at regular group meetings, and each group is represented on the management committee which meets approximately every six weeks. They have regular access to the Co-ordinator who is responsible to the management committee for day to day operation of the service.