The Befriending Scheme

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The Befriending Scheme The Befriending Scheme provides lots of volunteering opportunities. We were founded as a registered charity in 1989 as West Suffolk Befriending Scheme.

The Befriending Scheme is a Suffolk based charity offering friendship and learning opportunities for people who have a learning disability, mental health needs or other isolated groups. Our core activities are:

- Running regular drop-in centres, now known as Hubs (in Stowmarket, Haverhill, Ipswich, Sudbury and Lowestoft.)

- Running Out & About groups in evenings and weekends (in Haverhill, Sudbury and Lowestoft.)

- Running a small care farm in Assington, near Sudbury, called the 'Friends Community Farm' which provides a safe environment to learn about taking care of animals and horticulture.

- Building meaningful One-to-One friendships between vulnerable people and volunteer befrienders.

- Supporting vulnerable people (aged 16 and over) in ways which promote independence, personal development and community participation.

- Supporting carers in ways which positively contribute to their health and well-being.

- Increasing voluntary community action and involvement, together with opportunities for personal development. To find out more information about The Befriending Scheme, please take a look at our website:

www.thebefriendingscheme.org.uk

🌱🌻 WE’RE RECRUITING! 🌻🌱Do you have a passion for horticulture, growing and working with people? We’re looking for an ent...
10/10/2026

🌱🌻 WE’RE RECRUITING! 🌻🌱

Do you have a passion for horticulture, growing and working with people? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Horticulture Lead to join the team at Red Rose Community Farm in Lindsey! 🌿🐝

You’ll oversee the farm’s year-round growing, helping produce bedding plants, herbs and vegetables for local farmers’ markets, while creating an inclusive and therapeutic environment where everyone can get involved, learn new skills and feel valued. 💚

🌱 Could this be the role for you?
📍 Red Rose Community Farm, Lindsey
🌿 Horticulture & sustainable growing
🤝 Inclusive, hands-on community work
💚 Make a real difference to our farm members

📧 Request an application pack:
[email protected]

Please share with anyone who might be interested! 🌻

Our Haverhill Hub group members enjoyed a brilliant session with Sophie and Tess from Barking recently. Sophie held a s...
09/10/2026

Our Haverhill Hub group members enjoyed a brilliant session with Sophie and Tess from Barking recently.

Sophie held a short talk about how to interact with new dogs, in the hope to reduce dog bites in the community and to help people and dogs feel more confident interacting with one another.

Tess made friends and had lots of cuddles with the members, and the session finished with Tess performing all her tricks with her discs for everyone, which everybody loved!

Huge thank you to Sophie and Tess!

If you have a learning disability, and are local to Haverhill, why not contact us to attend a FREE taster session at Haverhill Hub?

🆓🤳01787 371333 / [email protected]

Our Befriending Coordinator, Catherine, will be at the Volunteer Open afternoon at The Christopher Centre today from 1-3...
08/10/2026

Our Befriending Coordinator, Catherine, will be at the Volunteer Open afternoon at The Christopher Centre today from 1-3pm.

Pop along this afternoon if you are interested in volunteering locally and you could find the perfect volunteering opportunity for you!!

** The Christopher Centre hold a volunteering open afternoon every second Thursday each month, to promote volunteering opportunities across the Sudbury area **

Monday Mix 👨🏽‍🍳⚽🖌Get cooking, get moving, get creative - You Choose! 🖌 Art and Craft sessions in the morning and afterno...
08/10/2026

Monday Mix 👨🏽‍🍳⚽🖌

Get cooking, get moving, get creative - You Choose!

🖌 Art and Craft sessions in the morning and afternoon (10am - 3pm)

👨🏽‍🍳 Cookery lessons in the morning (10am - 12.30pm)

⚽ Sport sessions / coaching in the afternoon (1pm - 3pm)

Designed for adults and young people (16 years +) who have a learning disability.

Each session, you have the option to try something new... MIX IT UP!

Starting 9th November 2026!

📆 Mondays
📍The Stevenson Centre, Great Cornard

To book or to find out more, please contact us:

📞 01787 371333
📧 [email protected]

**Booking essential**

FREE TASTER SESSIONS AVAILABLE 🆓✨Fancy trying out one of our Hub groups (in Haverhill / Sudbury and Lowestoft) or Red Ro...
07/10/2026

FREE TASTER SESSIONS AVAILABLE 🆓✨

Fancy trying out one of our Hub groups (in Haverhill / Sudbury and Lowestoft) or Red Rose Community Farm in Lindsey Tye?

🤳Give us a call to book a session or email [email protected]

LOWESTOFT HUB 🥳✨In celebration of Winston's birthday, singer, Faye Phillips, made a special visit to our Lowestoft Hub g...
06/10/2026

LOWESTOFT HUB 🥳✨

In celebration of Winston's birthday, singer, Faye Phillips, made a special visit to our Lowestoft Hub group.

Happy Birthday, Winston!

JOIN US FOR MONDAY MIX ✨Starting 9th November!
06/10/2026

JOIN US FOR MONDAY MIX ✨

Starting 9th November!

Please be aware that our Lowestoft Hub group will close early this Friday (9th October) at 12 noon.
06/10/2026

Please be aware that our Lowestoft Hub group will close early this Friday (9th October) at 12 noon.

LOWESTOFT HUB 💥We have loads of fun things planned during October...🍛 Exercise and Movement🍪 Autumn Baking🎃 Halloween Ts...
02/10/2026

LOWESTOFT HUB 💥

We have loads of fun things planned during October...

🍛 Exercise and Movement
🍪 Autumn Baking
🎃 Halloween Tshirt Making
👻 Spooky Crafts

Please contact the office or speak to Polly, if you would like to join any of these sessions.

*Booking essential*

Address

The Croft, Sudbury
Suffolk
CO101HN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441787371333

Website

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