Befrienders Highland: Combating Isolation for Mental Health in Highland & Argyll

Befrienders Highland offers vital support services to individuals with mental health challenges in Highland and Argyll. Established in 1993, they provide companionship through face-to-face, distance, and telephone befriending. Notably, their Distance Befriending program has proven successful in enhancing wellbeing for those with early-stage dementia and their caregivers. Eligible individuals include those diagnosed with dementia, living in Highland, able to use a telephone, and adult caregivers. The referral process is open to health professionals, self-referrals, and family referrals. The organization emphasizes confidentiality and regular reviews to ensure the effectiveness of each befriending relationship.

• Befrienders Highland
• Mental Health Support
• Isolation Relief
• Dementia Care
• Friendship Program

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1. BEFRIENDERS HIGHLAND Relieving isolation and loneliness for people with mental ill health across Highland and Argyll and Bute

2. Who are we? Established 1993 in Inverness providing 1- 1 befriending across Highland

3. Current Services Face to face services Distance befriending Telephone befriending: Dementia Distance befriending for dementia carers

4. Distance Befriending Offers 3 methods of social contact: Telephone Letter Email

5. Befriending Dementia Successful pilot 2011-12 Uses Distance Befriending model Increases sense of wellbeing in early stage dementia Highlighted unmet need of carers

6. What do our friendships achieve? Weekly calls from X are by far the most positive thing in his week. He now has a notebook and writes down what happens so he remembers to tell X when he calls . I know when X is calling because I am banished to the kitchen so he can have peace. I am delighted because it means I have the best part of an hour to be me and do what I want She remembers her friend X and chats away like she has known her for years. The matching was so spot on Mum thinks she has been friends with X since they were small. She can t remember the names of her grandchildren but she remembers the name of X

7. Who is eligible? Diagnosed with dementia or having memory problems Live in Highland Able to use telephone Adults caring for person with dementia

8. Referral process Any health care professional Self Family Consent

9. Befriending Relationship Offers social contact Confidential No advice given

10. Matching Process Compatibility Not always immediate Trial period

11. Ongoing Befriending Volunteer support Reviews Coordinator's role

12. Closing the Friendship When no longer beneficial Friends individually assessed Carers - access to counselling Face-to-Face Dementia Pilot

13. Volunteer Support and Training Two references PVG Disclosure Complete 7 workbooks Support of coordinator

14. Summary Easy to refer Reduces social isolation Safe Enjoyable