VOLUNTEERS JOIN NOW

If you’d like to be part of something positive then come along to our free drop-in information evening for a taster of how to become a Volunteer Befriender for a physically disabled person.

Wednesday 30th June, The Melting Pot, 5 Rose St, Edinburgh, Drop in from 5-6pm or 6-7pm

For more info contact Rosiaina, Ecas Befriending Project Manager on 0131 475 2344

For more info download our poster

Ecas Befriending Project.

Ecas recognises that many physically disabled adults feel lonely and isolated and so developed the befriending project to reach people who would most benefit from this type of service by training volunteers to become befrienders.

Ecas have also identified that some physically disabled people have been separated from existing friends and are unable to maintain this friendship. The befriending project can help bring you together again on a regular basis. We could help with some transport costs subject to assessment. We could also match you up with trained volunteer befrienders who could faciltate the meetings if required.

What is a befriender?

A befriender is a trained volunteer who would visit with you on a one to one basis in your own home.

They provided genuine companionship and can read to you, play games, chat and listen or help you to get out and about in your local community or the wider city.

If you think you would like a befriender to visit with you then here are some things you will need to know:

The project will have in place stringent policies and procedures to provide a professional, safe service for all involved.

Referrals - Other organisations, agencies can make referrals on a person's behalf with consent. You can also self refer. Once referred, you must meet with the medical criteria. The project manager will meet with you and complete a questionnaire form to help build a picture and help find the most suitable volunteer to match you with.

You would then be placed on a waiting list until a suitable volunteer became available.

Boundaries outline that a befriender is not a personal assistant and cannot provide personal or intimate care.

A volunteer may be offered basic Moving and Handling training if required by the match, which would allow them to push a wheelchair or assist someone to transfer.

Befrienders are also not advocates.

Details of advocacy services are; Partners in Advocacy                             0131 478 7723              , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,

or Jimmy McIntosh - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cost - The service is free as it is funded by Ecas and the Rank foundation.

The project can assist with transport costs and may be able to assist with other costs subject to assessment. If you would like a befriender to visit you or would like help to maintain a friendship but have been separated then we can help.

Referral forms can be downloaded or obtained by contacting the project manager by phone, post or email:

Rosiaina Browning

Ecas Befriending Project

Norton Park

57 Albion Road

Edinburgh EH7 5QY

0131 475 2344

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Referral Criteria

The Ecas Befriending Project will provide its service to isolated, physically disabled adults 18+, living in Edinburgh.

By isolated we mean people who are not currently receiving support to attend classes, access their community or participate in leisure activities or whose social life is limited due to their impairment, an example may be: limited or no visits from family or circle of friends.

Medical Criteria

By physically disabled we mean any person who is long-term and significantly disabled through impairment of the musculo-skeletal, neurological or cardio-respiratory systems of the body.

We regret that the following conditions on their own do not meet the criteria for participation in Ecas activities: psychiatric disorders, learning difficulties, behavioural disorders, developmental delay, Down's syndrome, autism, visual or hearing impairment, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV, back pain and chronic fatigue syndrome.