Befriended fight loneliness and isolation amongst older and vulnerable people across Mid Sussex, working in partnership with local churches, GPs and other organisations.
They offer face-to-face and telephone befriending as well as regular events. They also offer bereavement support, chaplaincy services in local care homes, and a community choir.
A grant from Sussex Community Foundation enabled Befriended to increase staff hours, recruit more volunteers, launch and expand six new services and connect with hundreds more people in the community.
After her husband's sudden death, Ruth found herself lonely and isolated. She joined one of Befriended's bereavement courses and over seven weeks, made friends with people who understood what she was going through. With Befriended, she found healing and a sense of belonging to a new community.
Ruth now leads the bereavement café to help others in similar situations. With funding from the Foundation, Befriended send a birthday card and gift to all clients and volunteers. For so many this may be the only card they get. Ruth is now our birthday angel and sends them out each month.
*Name has been changed
“Loneliness can be something we are catapulted into because of circumstances out of our control. Because of your grant, Ruth is one of many whose lives have been radically changed.”
Find out more about Befriended on thier website.
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