The Befriending Scheme

05/09/2026

🎉 HUGE NEWS! 🎉

We are incredibly proud to share that The Befriending Scheme has been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund

Thanks to players, this grant helps to fund our One to One Befriending service, allowing us to continue to match isolated individuals with dedicated volunteers, combating loneliness, encouraging connection and bring people together, right here in .

Every ticket purchased makes a difference, and we are so grateful for this support.

04/09/2026

💜🌟 LOWESTOFT HUB 🌟💜

Engaging, fun and social group sessions for adults (16+ years) who have a learning disability and/or mental health conditions.

🕙 10am – 3pm

🎨 Activities change every week, so there’s always something new to enjoy! From creative activities and games to cooking, crafts, dance, music and plenty of time to chat and socialise. 🎲🍳

🤝 Come along, meet new people and make friends!

Big thank you to Faye Phillips for coming to the group earlier in the year to provide a fun, singalong session!

✨ FREE taster sessions are available – so why not come and see what we’re all about?

📞 01787 371333
📧 [email protected]

💙 Friendship, fun and new opportunities – all in one place!

03/09/2026

Big thank you to Haverhill Town Councillor Joe Mason for coming to visit our Haverhill Hub over the summer!

We are thrilled you had a good time and truly appreciate your support and kind words. 💜

🤝 Supporting Community, Friendship & Inclusion

Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting The Befriending Scheme at the old Chalkstone Community Centre in Haverhill.

It was a genuinely uplifting visit. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this is far more than a community group – it is a place where people are welcomed, encouraged and supported to build friendships, develop confidence and feel part of something special.

I enjoyed chatting with members about what a local councillor does and the different ways local councils and councillors work with communities to solve problems and support local people. It was also a great opportunity to thank everyone who took part in the Great British Spring Clean and our local litter picks earlier this year. Their enthusiasm for looking after Haverhill was wonderful to see and deserved recognition.

It was also a pleasure to spend time listening to members’ experiences and it was clear to see the difference The Befriending Scheme makes to their lives.

The Befriending Scheme does fantastic work helping adults who might otherwise experience loneliness or social isolation, creating opportunities to make friends, build confidence and enjoy a wide range of activities together.

I also had a really positive conversation with Group Leader/Area Co-ordinator Will Ginno about the organisation, his plans for the future and the grant funding opportunities that may be be available. I’m looking forward to seeing whether I can help the charity access grant funding to support its valuable work.

A special thank you to Will, whose enthusiasm, kindness and dedication are clearly at the heart of what makes The Befriending Scheme such a welcoming place.

Thank you to everyone for making Lisa and myself feel so welcome. It was inspiring. Haverhill is stronger because of people and organisations like this, whose kindness, dedication and community spirit make such a difference every single day. 👏 🏆

02/09/2026

💙 COME ALONG TO OUR FRIENDLY HUB GROUPS! 💙

Looking for a welcoming place to make friends, try new activities and have fun? 😊

Our Hub Groups at The Befriending Scheme are friendly, relaxed groups for adults (16 years +) who have a learning disability. 🌟

📍 Sudbury (Art Hub)
📍 Lowestoft
📍 Haverhill

🕙 10am – 3pm

🎨 Activities change every week, so there’s always something new to enjoy! From creative activities and games to cooking, crafts and plenty of time to chat and socialise. 🎲🍳🎨

🤝 Come along, meet new people and make friends!

✨ FREE taster sessions are available – so why not come and see what we’re all about?

📞 01787 371333
📧 [email protected]

💙 Friendship, fun and new opportunities – all in one place!

https://www.thebefriendingscheme.org.uk/hubs

02/09/2026

Suffolk Care Awards 2026 🏆✨ NOMINATIONS CLOSE TODAY 🚫

Suffolk Care Awards 2026 are now open for nominations, and this year there is a special Volunteer of the Year award, celebrating those who give their time, compassion and commitment to make a real difference.

At The Befriending Scheme our volunteers give so much of their time, kindness and commitment. We think they deserve some recognition!

Anyone can nominate themselves, or friends and family can nominate someone on their behalf.

The nomination form includes the full criteria and eligibility, and you can find out more about the awards and FAQs here:

https://caredevelopmenteast.co.uk/suffolk-care-awards/about-suffolk-care-awards

🌟🌟Who are you nominating?? 🌟🌟

01/09/2026

🎉 Art Hub Highlights! 🤩

We’ve got a colourful month of creative arts and crafts coming up at our Art Hub in Great Cornard, Sudbury — a friendly, welcoming group for adults with a learning disability 💛

Curious about joining? Come along for a FREE taster session and start creating friendships and exploring Art in a new way!

Contact the TBS office to find out more.

28/08/2026

GOOD NEWS STORIES 🌟🌈

Every month we will be highlighting a Good News Story, giving you an insight into how our members are at the centre of all we do and how volunteers are integral to our vision; supporting, encouraging, and bringing people together.

At The Befriending Scheme, we have the privilege of helping our members reach their goals. 💜

Today we want to tell you about Amy and Louse....

Amy had always wanted to be a confident reader, a chance visit from Suffolk Libraries inspired her to give it a go. Louise (Haverhill Hub volunteer) offered to help.

Head over to our website to read more about their amazing story which highlights what a huge impact one volunteer can have.

https://www.thebefriendingscheme.org.uk/tbs-news/2026/8/25/good-news-story-amy-and-louise

Has this story inspired you to get invovled as a volunteer?

You can make a HUGE difference!

Contact us today, to find out more about our volunteering opportunities!

27/08/2026

Suffolk Care Awards 2026 🏆✨ NOMINATE TODAY!!!

Nominations close on 2nd September 🚫

Suffolk Care Awards 2026 are now open for nominations, and this year there is a special Volunteer of the Year award, celebrating those who give their time, compassion and commitment to make a real difference.

At The Befriending Scheme our volunteers give so much of their time, kindness and commitment. We think they deserve some recognition!

Anyone can nominate themselves, or friends and family can nominate someone on their behalf.

The nomination form includes the full criteria and eligibility, and you can find out more about the awards and FAQs here:

https://caredevelopmenteast.co.uk/suffolk-care-awards/about-suffolk-care-awards

Who are you nominating?? 🌟

26/08/2026

💜 Make a Difference with The Befriending Scheme! 💜

We’re all about creating friendship, fun & opportunities for vulnerable adults (16+) across Suffolk – especially those with learning disabilities or mental health needs. 🌱✨

From Hub drop-ins and one-to-one befriending, to Out & About adventures, FortKnights youth groups, and life on our Red Rose Community Farm in Lindsey Tye 🚜🐐 – there are so many ways we bring people together.

🙌 And YOU can be part of it! Whether it’s:
💡 Fundraising
👋 Befriending
☕ Helping at a Hub
🎳 Supporting group outings
🌾 Getting stuck in on the farm (individually or with a corporate group)

…your time and energy can change lives 💜

📞 01787 371333
📧 [email protected]

👉 Ready to join us? Reach out today and help us grow our amazing community!

25/08/2026

A CONVERSATION WITH LAURA 📲💬

Laura volunteers with us as a telephone befriender.

She talks with two telephone befriendees, the calls work around her day and family commitments.

Laura calls Pat every week for 15 minutes on Mondays. Pat has been diagnosed with dementia and Laura quickly warmed to their chats and settled into their conversations as her Mum also had dementia. Laura said “I wish I knew of a
telephone befriending service when Mum was unwell, it would have been wonderful.”

Laura said they have a really good conversations as Pat is an open book and they often talk about similar topics which can be reassuring and a comfort. Laura has a great sense of empathy for Pat’s family and although in her volunteering role she will not meet them, she feels that she is making a difference by helping both them and Pat with her calls. Perhaps not being “family” for Pat is helpful. The calls start “It’s only me!” “Oh, don’t say 'it’s only me' - I love your calls and look forward to them.”

Could you become a Telephone Befriender? 💡

YOU can make a real difference!