The Befriending Scheme - Sudbury
Framework provider of day, evening and weekend activities for people with learning disabilities and autism
The Befriending Scheme provides friendship and learning opportunities for adults (16yrs+) from vulnerable groups, including those with mental health needs, as well as our existing members with learning disabilities. We also offer various volunteering opportunities with extra support for those who need it
Sudbury Hub group:
Our regular drop-in centres, known as hubs, provide a place for our members to learn new skills, have fun and make friends. Running at six locations across Suffolk, the range of activities on offer is increasing all the time. Our members try their hands at drama, music and crafts, and enjoy games, cooking and relaxing over tea and biscuits.
Each Hub is run by a TBS Area Coordinator and supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.
Sudbury Hub runs on Thursdays at The Hive Community Hub in Sudbury from 10am - 3pm.
Out and About
We now offer weekly evening groups in the Sudbury area, where our members can take part in activities in the community, such as going to the cinema, bowling and out for dinner.
Please contact us for a monthly schedule.
One to One Befriending Service:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Is a One-To-One Befriender?
A Befriender is a volunteer who would like to spend some time with a member on a regular basis and provide them with friendship, company and support. Volunteers and members may meet once a week, once a fortnight or once a month for a couple of hours. Meetings will be arranged with the support of your Link Co-ordinator.
Befrienders are there to listen and to talk with. If able to, members can get out and about with their befriender to carry out social activities including meeting for a coffee, going to the cinema amongst other things. Befrienders may also be able to visit the member at home in circumstances where the member is unable to leave their home. Members and volunteer befrienders are matched on location, hobbies and interests and personality.
All volunteers will have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will have completed an induction to the service.
What About Care and Support Needs?
The purpose of the one-to-one service is for volunteer Befrienders to provide individuals with company and companionship. Volunteers are not trained in personal care and are not responsible for addressing any personal care and support needs.
Does This Service Apply To Individuals With Dementia?
The Befriending Scheme will consider applications where the individual has Dementia, providing the individual meets the criteria outlined above. For safety reasons, The Befriending Scheme cannot accept referrals where the individual has surpassed a stage that we feel they would no longer benefit from the service.
How Can I Apply For This Service?
Please note that The Befriending Scheme are only currently accepting referral applications in the Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds areas.
If you would like to apply to have a befriender, or would like to refer an individual to the service, you will need to complete a referral application form.
Please download the application form from our website. Alternatively, you may call the office on 01787 371 333 to request an application form be sent to you.
You will need to return a hard copy of the application form by post to:
The Befriending Scheme
1 The Croft
Sudbury, Suffok,
CO10 1HN
Once the application form has been received, the relevant Link Co-ordinator will be in touch to discuss eligibility. Individuals who are eligible will then go on to our waiting list for a Befriender. For individuals who are not eligible, we will do our best to signpost them to other organisations or support groups that may be better suited to their needs.
Who Can I Contact About This Service?
If you would like to know more about this service, please give us a call at the office on 01787 371 333 or email us at info@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk
Who to contact
- Name
- Melody Gould
- Position
- Community Engagement Officer - Sudbury
- Telephone
-
07960424217
- Info@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk
- Website
-
The Befriending Scheme
- Social Media
-
Find us on Facebook
- Address
-
The Befriending Scheme
1 The Croft
Sudbury
Suffolk
- Postcode
- CO10 1HN
Additional contact
- Name
- Admin Team
- Position
- Administrator
- Telephone
- 01787 371333
- info@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk
Where to go
- Name
- The Befriending Scheme - Sudbury Hub
- Address
-
Hive Community Hub
School Street
Sudbury
Suffolk - Postcode
- CO10 2HA
- View CO10 2HA on a map
- Area served
- Sudbury, Babergh
- Venue Email
- info@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk
- Venue Website
- http://www.thebefriendingscheme.org.uk/
- Parking available
- No
- Parking details
- Stour Street Car park is the closest car park to the Hive Community Hub.
Days & Times
- Hub: Every Thursday between 10:00am and 3:00pm. Out & About: Please contact us for a schedule
- Time of day
-
Morning
Afternoon
Other details
- Cost Details
- Casual Prices to attend HUB: £40 per Hub session / £20 per Out & About session. Membership packages are available at various prices to attend HUB and OUT & ABOUT groups, Please visit our website for more information. One to One Befriending is a free service for those who are eligible under the referral criteria.
- Referral required?
- Yes
- Referral and availability notes
Who Is Eligible For This Service?
To be eligible for this service, individuals must have a learning disability.
Individuals being referred to the service MUST also:
Live in Suffolk
Be over 16 years old
Not be accessing another befriending service
Have limited social contact or regularly experience feelings of loneliness and/or isolation
* Please note that The Befriending Scheme will consider applications where the individual has a long-term mental health issue that is well managed. Eligibility is considered on a case-by-case basis. The Befriending Scheme have the right to review the eligibility of individuals at any time where it is felt necessary to do so.
- Age Groups
- 16-25 years, Adults, Young people
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair Access
- Accreditation details
We are delighted to announce that The Befriending Scheme has been awarded a Bronze Standard Certificate from the Community Learning & Skills Development provider Realise Futures.
- Notes
This is a scheme for people with learning disabilities, costs of activities vary and there are different membership options. More information can be found on our website.
Support for people with disabilities
- Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities
The Befriending Scheme provides friendship and learning opportunities for people (16yrs+) from vulnerable groups, including those with mental health needs and older people, as well as those with learning disabilities. We also offer various volunteering opportunities with extra support for those who need it.
If you are unsure whether this service is suitable for your needs, please feel free to call our office for an informal chat on 01787 371333.
- Telephone
- 01787 371333.
- info@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk
- Conditions Supported
-
Autistic spectrum conditions
Communication difficulties
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