Staying Well are based in Halifax and work with individuals and communities to help people feel less lonely and isolated. They link people together and help everyone live happier and healthier lives; for longer.
Like everyone, Staying Well are still working slightly differently at the moment due to the ongoing risks of COVID 19.
But they’re still here for you and are also still taking referrals for their Volunteer Telephone Befriending Scheme.
If you know someone who is isolated or vulnerable and would like support from Staying Well just get in touch!
Call Staying Well on 01422 392767
Link: Staying Well Newsletter
Staying Well Talking About Their Telephone Befriending
Our telephone befriending scheme continues to work with people to help link them up to volunteers for a regular friendly chat on the phone. Recently we have reviewed how the Telephone Befriending Scheme has worked so far. As well as lots of great stories from our clients and volunteers we have been able to explore some of the challenges we experienced in setting up the scheme and how we can work to do things better. The review has helped us see the difference we are making to those who need it most!
But we always prefer stories to numbers…..read about Iris* to see the people behind these numbers……
Most people saw no increase in their levels of loneliness. With of people reporting feeling less lonely. 46%
94% of people said they would recommend the service to someone else. 48% of those who had felt lonely ‘often’ thought the calls were ’10/10′
Although of people reported no change in how lonely they felt regular calls did prevent them from becoming more lonely. Highlighting the importance of befriending in providing resilience to the negative impact of COVID lockdowns. 40%
Iris was referred into Staying Well in lockdown. It quickly became clear how lonely she was and how much she wanted someone to talk to on a regular basis. Iris was matched to a volunteer with similar hobbies and interests in knitting, baking, and gardening. 4 months down the line Iris and her volunteer had made a very strong friendship which has greatly contributed to improving Iris’ wellbeing and mental health. She also feels less lonely and isolated. As restrictions began to ease, she has experienced improvements in her overall health and her outlook on life. Iris feels more motivated to engage back into society. She feels she has made a life-long friend through the Telephone Befriending Scheme. and has been very
appreciative of the regular calls from both her volunteer and Staying Well worker for a general check in and offer encouragement through her tough times.
IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS ISOLATED OR VULNERABLE, OR IF YOU ARE A COMMUNITY GROUP AND WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE CONTACT THEM ON 01422 392767.
EMAIL: STAYINGWELLPROJECT@CALDERDALE.GOV.UK
WEBSITE: WWW.STAYINGWELLHUB.COM
FACEBOOK: @STAYINGWELLCALDERDALE
STAYING WELL TELEPHONE BEFRIENDING
