Dorchester Friends In Deed

LONELY... ? NEED A FRIEND...?

Dorchester Friends In Deed is a church initiative which wants ‘to improve the quality of life for isolated people, especially the elderly, in the Dorchester area’ by befriending them.

The Community Action Group which recognised that there are many lonely people in our town who just want a friendly face to have a chat with and we felt, that as a church, we could start to meet this need.

This is not an evangelistic group but set up entirely to show the love of God to people through our actions. So far we have a small group of befrienders and have received three referrals from people who need a ‘friend’.

We still need more befrienders especially as the referrals start to come in and so if you think that you could offer to spend one hour a month as a befriender, after induction, then please speak to Glenda. You could make a real difference in someone’s life!
>>read more

Who are befrienders?
‘Dorchester Friends in Deed’ is a befriending scheme set up by the ‘Dorchester Community Church’ with the purpose of helping lonely or isolated people within the local community.

Our befrienders are men and women of varying ages; they give freely of their time and undergo training to make your safety, privacy and wellbeing their priority in developing your relationship.

They willingly offer their time to build a friendship with you in order to alleviate any sense of isolation or loneliness whatever your circumstances.

Our befrienders do the sort of things friends do:
• They will try and understand your situation and support needs.
• Share a chat over the phone, or over a cup of coffee.
• Play a game of chess, cards or whatever.
• Watch a film together with you.
• Enquire and chat about your life, family and interests.

Befrienders do not…
• Claim to be ‘experts’ – they recognise that each person is an individual with unique personal needs.
• Take on the role of GP, nurse etc. – medical concerns will always need to be explored with the person’s doctor/nurse.
• Give counselling or social work support – befrienders are not trained counsellors but can signpost to professionals that may be able to help.
• Influence decisions or take control.

What could a befriender do for you?
A befriender is someone....
• who will take time to really listen to you.
• who won’t judge, or give advice or opinions; but will give their undivided attention.
• to trust.
• who cares
• who will respect you and won’t try to take charge.
• who will treat everything in complete confidence.
• who will seek to make themselves available,.
• with warmth who will reassure and accept.
• who is reliable e.g. keeping to arrangements whenever possible.
• who will say, “I care.”

COULD YOU BENEFIT
FROM A BEFRIENDER?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ then please make contact with the Co-ordinator (listed below) or ask a family member or support worker to refer you.

CONTACT DETAILS
 

Co-ordinator’s Name:	Glenda Goddard
Contact Address:	Dorchester Friends in Deed Dorchester Community Church Acland Road Dorchester DT1 1EF
Contact Phone Number:	Freephone 0800 7313703

Do you think you could spare time to become a befriender? Do you have just 1 hour spare a month? >>read more

For further information about Dorchester Community Church, please click here

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