The Befriending Scheme provides friendship and learning opportunities for adults (16yrs+) 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.
Our one to one befriending service is only for those who have a Learning Disability / Autism AND experiencing feelings on loneliness.
THE ONE TO ONE SERVICE IS ONLY ACCEPTING REFERRALS FOR THE LOWESTOFT AREA AT THE MOMENT. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE ON 01787 37133 FOR UPDATES.
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.
A Hub is a place you can go to enjoy the company of other adults of all ages and abilities, and join in with all the exciting things which are happening at the groups each week. There is a changing programme of events all planned in advance.
Our Hubs are located all over Suffolk, so there’s sure to be one nearby.
- Bury St Edmunds (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)
- Haverhill (OPEN)
- Ipswich (OPEN)
- Lowestoft (OPEN)
- Stowmarket (OPEN)
- Sudbury (OPEN)
We also run a care farm
- Friends Community Farm - Assington (OPEN)
Out & About Groups:
(Our Out & About service gives Hub members a chance to enjoy being part of their community and get to know their local area.)
Sessions are held in the evenings and at weekends, including trips to the cinema and local snooker club, fish and chip suppers, tenpin bowling, swimming and pub quiz nights. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy these simple activities and gain a sense of social inclusion.
Please visit our website for more details.
