Welcome to MIND Befriending SIR GAR website.  Our  Befriending Scheme offers support and companionship to people who have mental health needs. We recruit, train and match volunteers with individuals who are socially isolated through their experience of mental ill health.

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Aims and Objectives of MIND Befriending SIR GAR

We aim to encourage people experiencing emotional or mental health problems towards a more fulfilling life through developing mutually beneficial friendships.

We aim to:

Alleviate the loneliness of people with mental health problems who are isolated geographically or due to circumstances by developing a wider social network and so reduce stress and isolation.

· Promote personal choice.

· Increase self-respect.

· Support existing personal skills and the development of new opportunities.

· Prevent admissions and re-admissions to hospital by minimising the destabilising effects of     mental illness.

· Promote a more positive attitude to mental health in the community.

· The Befriending Scheme will:

· Provide regular and agreed contact with a Befriender.

· Provide companionship and support.

· Offer a listening ear, but not structured counselling.

· Offer this service in an informal, non-judgmental and confidential manner, free to the service user.

· Offer regular supervision training and support to the Befriender.

· Ensure regular reviews of the befriending relationship.

MIND Befriending SIR GAR works within the Mind Quality Framework and uses the quality management in Mind (QMiM) which demonstrates our commitment to quality assurance.