In Partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Many people with community care needs are excluded in some way from fully participating in social and community life. This report examines one way - befriending - by which they can be supported to overcome some of the barriers to participation.

The research was funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It includes a survey of befriending organisations in England, Wales and Scotland, and six in-depth case studies. It explores how befriending is organised  and delivered, and the different perspectives of the people involved.

There is a particular emphasis on why users want the service and the benefits befriending brings.

Befriending is found to serve people with a variety of needs. It is also valued in different ways; for example, for some organisations the befriender is a means of widening the user's social network, while others are concerned to offer the opportunity to take part in  a variety of leisure activities. Users themselves most value the personal relationship with their befriender.

Professionals within the social care sector are required to undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). Those who use this resource will be able to gain CPD points.