Befriending Networks

18/06/2026

Join us this summer for Vital Skills for Staff - all designed to help you with your project operations. There are 4 training events left this season.

1. Boundaries aims to build your confidence in how to set boundaries, how to handle boundaries when broken and more. Join us on 24/06/26 for this training event.

2. Supporting and Supervising your Team builds skills and confidence to effectively support and supervise volunteers, staff and service users through independent e-learning followed by a live class session. Join us on 24/06/26 > 08/07/2026 for this training event.

3. Managing Waiting Lists and Organisational Capacity is here to help you develop practical strategies while strengthening decision-making, staff wellbeing and service impact. Join us on 30/06/2026 for this training event.

4. Recruiting Volunteers will help you gain knowledge, tools and confidence to recruit and retain volunteers through practical strategies, inclusive outreach and effective processes. Join us on 15/07/26 for this training event.

Member organisations get 25% off training costs automatically. Learn more and book on our website: https://befriending.co.uk/product-category/training-events/?_product_tags=vital-skills

17/06/2026

This , we invited Rayella Broomhead from B:Friend to share the importance of giving loneliness a voice, and why befriending matters.
Read the full blog: https://buff.ly/zTpRQIk

Marmalade Trust

16/06/2026

Inspired by the lives and experiences of people seeking sanctuary, Refugee Week 2026 is inviting everyone to explore the theme of Courage.

It isn't always loud or bold. Courage can be found in simple acts such as reaching out to neighbours, asking for help or helping someone feel welcome. Explore befriending services supporting refugees in the befriending directory today: https://buff.ly/RDpsi28

16/06/2026

What's a life lesson you wish you'd learned sooner? What's your most treasured possession? What was your favourite game as a child?

Every conversation you have helps build connection. Try out our Conversation Starter Cards for some prompts to get the conversation flowing this Loneliness Awareness Week: https://buff.ly/AYcT7aZ


Marmalade Trust

16/06/2026

This time last week, Sandra, Nicola and Ellie from our team were getting ready to travel to London for our Roadshow event!

Thanks to everyone who attended our London roadshow. It was wonderful to be part of great conversations and to observe amazing connections among so many diverse organisations in the room.

Attendees included: Age UK Croydon Age UK Islington Age UK Merton Battersea Befriending Network Bright Futures UK Emmanual United Reform Church, HappyatHome Partnership - Daventry District Jewish Care London Irish Centre Rainbow Communities Rainham Foodbank Time to Talk Befriending / TTTB Together Co Volunteer Centre Greenwich and Wimbledon Guild

Special thank you to our co-hosts from Volunteer Centre Greenwich, for supporting us and presenting the work they carry out in their community.

There is one more chance to participate in our roadshow, with a virtual offering on June 23. You can book here: https://befriending.co.uk/product/2026-roadshow-online-june/

15/06/2026

To mark Loneliness Awareness Week and the 2026 theme of Giving Loneliness a Voice, we welcome guest blogger Melissa, who shares how painful experiences in her life showed her the importance of meaningful social connections.
Read the full blog: https://befriending.co.uk/law26-voice/


Marmalade Trust

15/06/2026

We're supporting Loneliness Awareness Week (15 - 21 June). Loneliness is a normal human emotion, and befriending helps people build meaningful connections that make them feel seen and supported. Search our directory to find a service near you: https://buff.ly/xqpS7Xa


Marmalade Trust

13/06/2026

Victoria spent this morning with the Volunteers of Ecas - celebrating and recognising the impact of volunteering and social connections, followed by an amazing lunch at the Modern One cafe.

She's leaving the celebrations with this wonderful tea towel which was designed by an Ecas stakeholder and gifted to Victoria as a thank you for participation.

Thank you to Sam and the team for the invitation. Lovely to spend time on a Saturday with one of our amazing members and their fantastic volunteer team.

13/06/2026

Anne and Lucy, part of volunteering team, represented Together Co at the Befriending Networks Roadshow in London on Wednesday June 10.

It was a brilliant day connecting with others across the sector, including Sarah from Time to Talk Befriending / TTTB and Nicola and Sandra from Befriending Networks. They also made some great new connections, including Abdi from Volunteer Centre Greenwich

A big thank you to Befriending Networks for hosting such a valuable event at Voluntary Action Islington; full of ideas, insight and shared passion for supporting people who are experiencing loneliness and isolation.

12/06/2026

Thank you for joining us HappyatHome Partnership - Daventry District 💚

On Wednesday 10th June Chris and Michaella attended a fantastic networking event run by Befriending Networks

It was wonderful to meet representatives from other befriending projects around the country. We enjoying sharing challenges faced, best practices and got some tips to move forward with our project.