Adam Wilson, our Barnet Friends Coordinator, has shared with us the importance and value of Barnet Friends, a service that makes a real difference in the lives of adults across Barnet. Through compassionate, weekly conversations, our volunteers help reduce isolation and provide vital emotional support to those who need it. Read on to find out more about how Barnet Friends is empowering our community and how you or someone you know could get involved. 

Also, don’t miss the video at the bottom of the page to learn more about the service!

Adam’s Insight on the Impact of Barnet Friends: 

At CB Plus, we’re proud to run Barnet Friends, a telephone befriending service that forms part of the Integrated Barnet Wellbeing Service. This program is specifically designed to support adults between the ages of 18 and 55 who live, work, or study in Barnet, offering them a weekly conversation and a safe space to share their thoughts.

At the heart of Barnet Friends are our 19 compassionate volunteers. Each week, they provide companionship and emotional support through one-hour calls. This commitment often continues for 6 to 12 months, fostering lasting and meaningful connections. Over the past year, our dedicated volunteers have made a significant impact. They have befriended 34 clients, provided 553 hours of telephone support, and helped 44 individuals connect with essential local services, including advocacy, talking therapies, and wellness activities such as mindfulness and peer support groups.

Ultimately, our goal is to empower clients to feel less isolated and help them access supportive resources within their community. We’re pleased to report that, at present, we have a short two-week waiting list. We welcome clients, whether or not they have a mental health diagnosis, or those who are experiencing low to moderate mental health challenges.

Here’s a recent testimonial from one of our clients:

“Barnet Befriending is a blessing to me. I am very grateful to have been matched with a befriender who is genuinely kind, easy to talk to, supportive, and trustworthy. Thank you for giving me so much comfort that I do not need to suffer in silence or do it alone. I will always be grateful.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from a friendly conversation each week, self-referrals are welcome. Just send an email to befriending@cbplus.org.uk. We also accept referrals from GP practices, Social Prescribing Link Workers, and other statutory services within Barnet.

If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch.