Why meaningful connection matters in later life
- Offers consistent, trusted companionship
- Reduces loneliness and helps people feel valued
- Supports health and wellbeing
- Helps changes in wellbeing or support needs to be recognised earlier
Why refer to Time to Talk Befriending?
- Specialist experience of supporting people inlater life since 2013 Trusted, relationship-basedsupport
- Trusted, relationship-based support, independently accredited with excellence by Befriending Networks A whole-person approach
- A whole-person approach that considers circumstances, strengths, interests, identity, health, mobility, communication, existing connections and what matters most Thoughtful matching
- Thoughtful matching based on shared interests, preferences, location and availability Supported relationships
- Supported relationships, with ongoing contact, review, safeguarding and clear routes for volunteers to raise concerns A service that adapts
- A service that adapts, recognising that health, mobility, memory, bereavement and circumstances can change Wider connection andsignposting
- Wider connection and signposting, including groups, community activities and other appropriate support Dementia-inclusive support
- Dementia-inclusive support where a meaningful and sustainable befriending relationship can be established
Who should be referred to us?
We support people aged 65+ who are experiencing loneliness and have limited opportunities for regular social connection.
The person may:
- Live alone
- Live with a partner or someone else
- Be an unpaid carer
- Be cared for by someone else
Where we work :
- Brighton & Hove
- Adur & Worthing
A referral may be appropriate where either of thefollowing applies:
Does not have regular in-person quality time with family or friends.
Does not regularly leave their home for quality time withother people.
What do we mean by quality time?
Quality time means spending time with another person for companionship and connection.
This might include sharing a meal, doing an activity together or spending time talking and enjoying each other's company.
It does not include brief or mainly practical contact, such as a delivery, appointment, care visit or passing conversation.
Someone may appear to have regular contact with other people and still experience very little quality time. For example, they may:
- Live with another person but find that their time together is mostly practical or task-focused
- Bean unpaid carer whose contact with the person they support is centred mainly on practical needs
- Receive several care visits each day without having much time for companionship or conversation
- See professionals regularly while still having few opportunities for relaxed, social connection
What matters is whether the contact offers companionship, connection and time toenjoy being with another person.
How can I identify this?
To explore the quality as well as the frequency of someone’s contact, it may behelpful to ask:
“Thinking about a usual week, who do you spend time withwhere you can relax, have a proper conversation and enjoy each other'scompany?”
Our Volunteers
Volunteer befrienders undertake a comprehensive induction, references and enhanced DBS checks are obtained.
Volunteer befrienders are supported by the team throughout each befriending relationship.
Our volunteer befrienders provide:
- Consistent weekly or fortnightly visits
- Companionship, conversation and quality time
- A meaningful relationship built around shared interests
- A trusted connection and something to look forward to
- Contact with the TTTB team if a concern or change is noticed or shared
The support around every relationship:
- Careful assessment and matching
- Preparation, guidance and ongoing support for volunteers
- Regular contact and review
- Clear boundaries and safeguarding processes
- Appropriate signposting, onward referral or escalation by the TTTB team
- Adaptation or support to end the match when health, mobility, memory or circumstances change
What volunteer befrienders do not provide:
- Personal care or domestic help
- Clinicalor mental-health treatment
- Counselling
- Emergency or crisis support
- Case management or replacement for statutory services
When you make a referral, you can expect:
Alongside befriending, people can become part of a wider community through activities, shared ideas and experiences, and opportunities to contribute to our newsletter.
We recognise that loneliness is not always resolved by increasing social contact alone.
Where wanted, we can also offer optional pastoral or chaplaincy support shaped by the person’s own beliefs, values and wishes.
This wider understanding helps us consider what kind of connection and support may be most appropriate for each person.
- Initial contact within two weeks of receiving the referral
- A whole-person conversation to understand the person’s circumstances, connections, strengths, interests, preferences and what matters to them
- Careful consideration of the most appropriate form of connection and support
- Quality-assured befriending, independently accredited with excellence through Befriending Networks’ Quality in Befriending Award
- An update for the referrer on the outcome, where consent and information-sharing arrangements allow
- Connections to groups, activities, information and other appropriate sources of support
- Ongoing support and review once a befriending relationship begins
Not sure whether to refer?
People's circumstances do not always fit neatly into criteria.
If you are unsure whether an interaction should count as quality time, or whether someone meets the criteria, please speak to us.
We would rather discuss a potential referral with you than have someone miss out on support.
Email: info@tttb.org.uk Call: 01273737710
Please leave a message and a member of the team will get back to you.
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