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What we do
Here at The Buddy and Befriending scheme, we support adults across Cheshire who are experiencing loneliness or social isolation. We believe in one of the most effective and simple solutions - giving people the opportunity to connect and talk.
Whether you'd prefer to get out and meet others at our warm welcome groups, or you'd benefit from friendly telephone befriending support from the comfort of your own home, we're here for you.
Take a look below to see what a befriending journey looks like with us.
How does it work?
We offer two main ways to connect:
Warm Welcome Groups in Cheshire - Face to face befriending in friendly, welcoming community spaces across Cheshire where you can meet new people, enjoy activities, and build lasting friendships. Our warm welcome groups run regularly throughout the week in Winsford, Northwich and Crewe, offering everything from coffee mornings to craft sessions in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.
Telephone Befriending Service - Regular phone calls with a friendly volunteer, perfect for those who are housebound, have mobility issues, or simply prefer connecting from home. Our telephone befriending service matches you with someone who shares your interests and who we think you'll enjoy building a friendship with.
Below is an example as how we assess your situation and figure out the best solution for you.
Our clients are either self-referred or referred by one of our partner agencies- ie. GP surgeries & Social Prescribers, organisations and charities.
Our team assess each referral on an individual basis and need, depending on their circumstances, abilities and requirements.
Step 1 Assessment
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For clients who are able to and would like to interact with others, our team can recommend one of our Warm Welcome groups or a community group close to where they live. Each group we recommend is carefully considered, and we speak directly with the group’s leader or organiser to understand what the group offers and to assess its suitability before making a recommendation.
They will be offered a service
What we would like to achieve
If the client is house bound, has physical disabilities, or other issues that prevent them from leaving the home then they are assessed for the telephone service. They will then be matched with a suitable volunteer who is matched with them, based upon the clients likes, hobbies and interests
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Step 2 Group befriending
Step 2 Telephone befriending
Those within our service that are currently receiving telephone support and feel they would like to attend a group and meet new people; we would help with the transition of this on to the next stage - the Warm Welcome group.
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Ultimately, our goal is to help individuals build their social lives while being a trusted support system they can rely on. We’re here to provide a safe, welcoming environment where people feel at ease, and to gently encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, grow in confidence, and forge new friendships.
See a real example below as to how we helped Beryl.
Beryl's story
June 2023 My volunteers
I was referred to the buddy and befriending telephone service by my Social Prescriber in June 2023. I was matched up with a volunteer between July 2023 - June 2024 and then another volunteer from June 2024.
June 2024 My first meeting
I was told about a Warm Welcome group that is hosted by the befriending team, but I was really nervous about going alone. My lovely volunteer Emma had suggested that they go together to the first meeting.. I was excited and anxious to get out of the house again and meet up with people of a similar age and situation to myself.
October 2024 My new friends
I had the most fantastic time. at the group and I was made to feel most welcome. I had a lovely conversation with Jean and enjoyed a delicious slice of cake.. I realised I had nothing to be nervous about. loved the group so much I kept going back each week., and I ended up making my own plans with my friends from the group. We loved going walking together.
Now My new life
I’ve had such a fun time with my new friends, i feel like a whole different person. Each week we’ve been doing new activities and i didn’t realise that it had been weeks since my last phone call with my befriender.
I spoke to the befriending team and i decided that i no longer need the telephone befriending service. I really appreciate the team, and my buddy, for giving me the confidence to join the group and make new friends. My whole life has changed for the better and it is because of this scheme.
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People like Beryl
(real identity not shown to protect privacy)
We can help many more people like Beryl to feel less isolated and give them the confidence to meet new friends. This is what we do at The Buddy and Befriending team, we tackle loneliness in Cheshire.
If you want to find out how our befriending services can help you feel less isolated, or you have a friend or family member experiencing loneliness who could benefit from support, please contact us below.
We're here to help.
How do I attend a Warm Welcome Group?
We currently run three warm welcome groups across Cheshire, one in Northwich, one in Winsford, and one in Crewe. We would be more than happy to welcome you!
The best place to start is by having a chat with our lovely team. They'll tell you all about the group nearest to you, how to get there, what activities are happening that week, and answer any questions you have so you feel confident and comfortable before you come along.
We know taking that first step can feel nerve wracking - it's completely normal to feel that way. But our team are some of the kindest, warmest people you'll ever meet, and we've helped hundreds of people in exactly the same position. We're incredibly knowledgeable and everyone who attends our befriending groups feels so at ease around us.
If you'd prefer not to phone straight away, you can send a quick email using our contact form below, whatever feels most comfortable for you! We also post regular updates on our Facebook page about what we get up to in our groups, the food we have, and the activities we enjoy, so you can get a real feel for what it's like before you visit.
Julie Birtwistle
Hello! I'm Julie and I run all of the Warm Welcome Groups. You will be seeing my face a lot when you join us! Please feel free to reach out to our team directly and we can have a lovely chat and get you started. See you soon!
The Befriending team
We have an incredible team who are here to help you with whatever you need. We're all really friendly, understanding, and genuinely care about making a difference in our community. You'll always find a warm welcome and a listening ear with us.
And we couldn't do what we do without our amazing volunteers - over 300 of them in fact! They're the heart of everything we do, giving their time and compassion to support people across Cheshire every single day.
Lesley Moore
Head of Community Support
Peter Marsden
Lead coordinator
Julie Birtwistle
Coordinator
Lee Moran
Wellbeing assistant
Contact us
Whether you want to enquire about our services, find out more about our groups, or speak to us about the referral process, just use the contact form below. We're here to help and we'd love to hear from you.
Getting invovled
If you'd like to join our team of volunteers, please use the contact form above and we'll get in touch to chat with you about the different ways you can get involved.
If you already know you want to volunteer as a telephone befriender, just type "Telephone Befriender" in the subject line along with your contact information. The same goes if you'd like to become a warm welcome group volunteer—just put "Warm Welcome Group Volunteer" in the subject line. We'll have a chat with you about what this entails and get you signed up.
We may also have specific volunteering roles that could be perfect for you. Check out our Roles board below to see if there are any that match your skills and interests. If nothing specific catches your eye, just use the contact form above and we'll find the right fit for you!
