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

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, Sudbu

ry 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

05/06/2026

FARM VOLUNTEER STORY 🌾👩🏽‍🌾

Farm Volunteer, Lindsay, shares her experience:

"My name is Lindsay and I volunteer once a week as a support worker at Red Rose Community Farm, which is run by The Befriending Scheme (TBS). I have been volunteering since September 2024 because I had retired from my job in a special school and was sad at not being able to continue going to the farm - I used to accompany a pupil each week and witnessed at first hand what great work TBS does and wanted to be able to make a positive contribution to this work.

I enjoy being part of a team and seeing how our members ( the people we support) develop skills and have such a joyful experience at the farm. I have personally benefitted by learning more animal care and gardening skills, have made new friends and feel a great sense of satisfaction when witnessing how our members really blossom and develop.

I would thoroughly recommend volunteering - especially for TBS! Just have a go! You will be made to feel very welcome!"

Want to hear more about the services we offer or how to get involved?

Contact us:
📞 01787 371333
📧 [email protected]

04/06/2026

VOLUNTEER STORY 💜✨

Jodi, shares her experience as a long standing One to One Befriending Volunteer:

"I have been volunteering for TBS for almost 10 years now. When I started, both myself and the lady I befriend were met by a supervisor who matched us based on our interests, experience and needs from the service. We then met up with the supervisor to determine if we all felt we were a good match in person, and thankfully we were! We have since met once a month, and we chat via WhatsApp most days- this works for us, but you can choose what works for you. We have had days out, celebrated special occasions, or done ordinary things together, just like any other friendship.

Volunteering for TBS isn't just about the volunteer supporting the client. As a volunteer I get just as much out of it as the lady I meet. She is warm, funny, and a charismatic and brings an additional joy to my life- I always look forward to our meet-ups!

If you're unsure if you have what it takes to be a befriender- you absolutely have! TBS give you training and support to have the confidence to know how to support the person you are befriending, and they also listen to you if you have any special skills that can help too.

Volunteering is such an important part of people staying connected, reducing social isolation and giving something back to your community.

Thank you to TBS for all that you do!"

A big thank you to Jodi for sharing her volunteering story!

…Your time can change lives too 💜

📞 01787 371333
📧 [email protected]

👉 Ready to join us? Contact us today.

03/06/2026

To all of our wonderful volunteers at The Befriending Scheme — thank you for being the heart of our organisation 💙

Your time and dedication help support vulnerable adults, young people and children, reduce isolation, and bring meaningful connection to so many people.

Thank you for everything you do, today and every day 🌟

02/06/2026

ONE TO ONE BEFRIENDING 🌟

GRAHAM AND ANDREW'S STORY...

Graham and Andrew (volunteer) were matched through the One to One Befriending service in June 2025 after Graham shared his hopes of regaining confidence and finding a friend to meet and talk with outside his home.

Although initially apprehensive, Graham quickly felt at ease after meeting Andrew, whose shared interests made for a natural connection. Following a successful first coffee arranged by befriending coordinator, Catherine, they began meeting independently for coffee and outings, including trips to Scotsdales Garden Centre.

Their friendship has grown steadily, built on relaxed conversation, shared stories and mutual enjoyment of time together. Both value the flexibility of the arrangement, and Graham encourages others considering befriending to “go for it,” while Andrew warmly recommends volunteering.

01/06/2026

Our brilliant Haverhill Coordinator, Will, shares his thoughts on how volunteers shape the services offered in the Haverhill area....

"Volunteers are the absolute heart and soul of our groups in Haverhill. We couldn't do the amazing things that we do without you!"

THANK YOU!!!

31/05/2026

TOMORROW ✨THE START OF VOLUNTEER WEEK 2026

As Volunteer Week is upon us, we encourage you to think about the huge impact volunteering has on our local community.

Volunteers are at the heart of The Befriending Scheme and we are so grateful for each person who gives up their time to help support, encourage and care for our members.

Volunteering with The Befriending Scheme is a wonderful way to meet people, grow your confidence, and make a real difference in someone’s life. ❤️

✨ You can make a difference! ✨

Interested?
📞 Call 01787 371333
📧 Email [email protected]

28/05/2026

Want to find out more about what we do at The Befriending Scheme? 💭

We will holding a stall at Glemsford Village Fete on Saturday 30th May, sharing information about the services we offer across Suffolk, supporting vulnerable adults, young people and children.

🕛12 Noon - 3pm

✨See you there!! ✨

WE ARE HIRING - SESSIONAL WORKERS 📣To request an application pack with further details included, please email info@thebe...

27/05/2026

WE ARE HIRING - SESSIONAL WORKERS 📣

To request an application pack with further details included, please email [email protected]

26/05/2026

GROWING FRIENDSHIPS AND BEETROOT 🌱

Lovely to see the progression of the carefully hand planted beetroot by one of our farm members, Ben, now flourishing in one of the polytunnels at the farm.

Ben, you did not miss a beet and you did such a brilliant job! Well done!!!

25/05/2026

MAY BANK HOLIDAY 🌱🌸⛅

We hope you all have a wonderful bank holiday Monday.

The Befriending Scheme / Red Rose Community Farm is closed today but the office will be back open tomorrow from 9AM and we look forward to welcoming our members to the farm at 10AM.

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

http://www.thebefriendingscheme.org.uk/

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