# Befriender

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For the British television series, see [The Befrienders](/source/The_Befrienders).

**Befrienders** are carefully selected[1] [volunteers](/source/Volunteering), from a variety of organisations and [mental health](/source/Mental_health) charities, who are trained to provide support and companionship to lonely, or emotionally distressed, people.[2] Befrienders will usually visit for an hour or so per week.[3] The meeting is usually arranged to suit the person's needs, either at home, or at a neutral venue. Some befriending schemes include [social events](/source/Social_event), creative classes, or [self-help groups](/source/Support_group).[2]

## Selection

Training can take upwards of 10 weeks before a befriender is allocated a case.[4] During the befriending process, continuous support is provided, through regular group meetings and individual meetings with a coordinator.[3] Befrienders assignments are chosen on the basis of [ethnicity](/source/Ethnicity), [gender](/source/Gender) (usually the same sex as the person requiring help[2]), age and needs of the person requiring help.[5]

## Effectiveness

Unlike professional careers, such as [social workers](/source/Social_worker), befrienders can become emotionally involved with their case, which often results in a more positive outcome as they are able to engage at a much deeper level.[6]

## See also

- [Peer support](/source/Peer_support#Peer_support_in_mental_health)
- [Peer support specialist](/source/Peer_support_specialist)
- [Befrienders Worldwide](/source/Befrienders_Worldwide)

## References

1. Leff, J.P., Warner, R. (2006) *Social inclusion of people with mental illness* [p.96.](https://books.google.com/books?id=GYv2_s1TbtYC&dq=befrienders&pg=PA96) Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-61536-4. Retrieved October 2011.

1. Hewitt, R.D'O. (2007) *Moving on: a guide to good health and recovery for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia*, [p.99.](https://books.google.com/books?id=n8vLHTBCPYQC&dq=befrienders&pg=PT99) Karnac Books. ISBN 1-85575-442-8. Retrieved October 2011.

1. Susan Balloch, S., Hill, M.J. (2007) *Care, community and citizenship: research and practice in a changing policy context* [p.203.](https://books.google.com/books?id=89fSh43gQqEC&dq=befrienders&pg=PA203) The Policy Press. ISBN 1-86134-870-3. Retrieved October 2011.

1. Abel, K. (1996) *Planning community mental health services for women: a multiprofessional handbook* [p.229.](https://books.google.com/books?id=ifI2eX0zZNQC&dq=befrienders&pg=PA229) Routledge. ISBN 0-415-11456-X. Retrieved October 2011.

1. Somerville, P., Steele, A. (2002) *Race, housing and social exclusion* [p.186.](https://books.google.com/books?id=f_b26nM_4LsC&dq=befrienders&pg=PA186) Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 1-85302-849-5. Retrieved October 2011.

1. Newton, J. (1997) *Preventing Mental Illness in Practice* [p.11.](https://books.google.com/books?id=B683ygf7JekC&dq=befrienders&pg=PA11) Routledge. ISBN 0-415-11993-6. Retrieved October 2011.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Befriender](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befriender) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befriender?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.