Community Support Befrienders are needed across North Lancashire, and you can get involved.
As the long winter months draw to a close, the presence of spring will soon be in full bloom. However, this can still be a very lonely time for many vulnerable or isolated people, especially when they have been parted from friends and family. Yet there are hundreds of people across Lancashire that are affected by this daily, with Lancashire Volunteer Partnership (LVP) becoming a lifeline to many during the pandemic.
Lancashire Volunteer Partnership is the one-stop-shop for public service volunteering in Lancashire and was formed to support local services, tackle vulnerability, and assist in times of crisis.
In February 2020, LVP was faced with the challenge of continuing to support vulnerable people, whilst following social distancing and ensuring the wellbeing of their volunteers. In April 2020, they decided to introduce a telephone befriending service, so that volunteers could safely continue supporting isolated and lonely people across Lancashire.
So far, LVP have supported over 1,600 people during the Coronavirus pandemic, however there are still hundreds of people across Lancashire who need support. Many people have needed support with their mental wellbeing during this time, so having someone to talk to once a week can be the difference between someone suffering in silence or feeling supported and socially active.
Joanne Latham – Lancashire Volunteer Partnership Manager said: "We can't praise our volunteers enough and are so grateful for their continued support. While life has started to look more normal again for many of us, we are maintaining our telephone befriending service for those who need it.
‘’However, we are also now seeking volunteers for face-to-face befriending again. This could be simply joining someone for a cuppa and a chat or accompanying them on a short walk locally. These volunteer roles are so uplifting and make a big difference to someone’s life, so it's wonderful that face-to-face befriending can now safely take place again with the health and wellbeing of our volunteers and service users remaining the utmost importance to us.”
To provide a flexible approach to Community Support Befriending services going forward, LVP's volunteers can choose to do telephone befriending, face to face visits, or a combination of both dependent upon their preferences or circumstances.
LVP want to attract more volunteers across Lancashire, so if you or someone that you know would like to become a Community Support Befriender, get in touch – there's no time like the present and your generosity will never go unnoticed!
If you would like to volunteer, visit their website
Lancaster festival headlined by Tinchy Stryder is cancelled
LISTEN: How Pride in Place team hope to make difference in West End of Morecambe
Cat charity speaks out after nine kittens "in bad way" found by roadside in Morecambe
Council condemns fly tippers after multiple incidents across Lancaster district
Carnforth man who broke neck in swimming pool accident flown home after £150K appeal
Lancaster Farms prison to gain 240 extra places as part of national expansion programme
Lancaster comic Jon Richardson returning home for theatre show
Three arrests after cars stolen from house and pharmacy break-in near Lancaster
Firefighters tackle vehicle fire on Bay Gateway
Morecambe's lifeboat crew respond to report of person shouting for help
"Massive explosions" amid fire on Morecambe industrial estate
LISTEN: Friends' new social group is bringing women together in Morecambe
Lancaster schoolgirl, eight, takes campaign to save bees to Westminster
Motorbike rider taken to hospital with serious injuries after crash at Carnforth
LISTEN: Morecambe coffee shop owner thanks community for support after break-in
Appeal after vandals spray graffiti on new Lancaster public bins
Lancaster footballer Scott McTominay has successful heart op
Two new jobs announced at Eden Project Morecambe
Building society in Morecambe’s West End to close
LISTEN: How Rajah the elephant came home
