Become a befriender
Could you spare some time to support someone living with macular disease?
Our befriending volunteers provide regular telephone calls to people affected by sight loss, offering companionship, conversation and connection. Just being able to listen to someone with a macular condition can help them feel understood and supported.
If you're a good listener and enjoy talking to people, we'd love to hear from you. Your friendly voice could make a real difference.
To find out more or apply:
- Call us on 01264 326 622
- Visit our volunteering webpage
Why become a befriender?
As a befriender, you'll help someone feel supported, understood and less alone.
Volunteering can also help you:
- Learn new skills
- Build confidence
- Gain valuable volunteering experience
- Meet new people
- Make a meaningful difference to someone's life
Through being a befriending volunteer, I’ve made two very good friends myself. It really does go beyond just being a voice on the other end of the phone. I can support others, but it helps my personal journey too. It’s a two-way street. I think it’s a wonderful service, and the role is so rewarding."
Veronica, befriending volunteer
What makes a good befriender?
You don't need professional qualifications or previous experience. The most important qualities are being a good listener, reliable and empathetic.
Our best befrienders are able to:
- Listen without judgement
- Offer encouragement and support
- Help reduce feelings of loneliness
- Share interests and conversation
- Be patient, reliable and kind
- Build positive relationships over time.
If you have a capacity to make relationships, to talk, to bear peoples’ distress, do it. Because you will be talking to people who are shocked and distressed, and also lonely.”
Norma, befriending volunteer
What does the role involve?
As a befriender, you'll be matched with someone affected by sight loss and asked to make regular telephone calls.
Most volunteers begin by supporting one person, although some choose to support more than one befriendee over time.
We ask volunteers to commit to the role for at least one year.
Before you begin, you'll receive training covering:
- Safeguarding
- Data protection
- The role and responsibilities of a befriender
You'll also be invited to attend an introductory group call to learn more about the service.
Your phone number will never be shared with your befriendee. Calls are made through our telephone system, Togetherly. Your calls will never be recorded, as conversations are always confidential between you and your befriendee.
Befriender tips
If you’re already a good listener, you may already have the skills you need to be a successful and helpful befriender. The following tips may help:
- Listen more than you talk
- Be curious and ask open questions rather than questions that could be answered with just ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- Respect and value your differences
- Set boundaries an maintain them – you cannot provide counselling or medical advice
- Be reliable and call when you say you will
- Let people know if you need to cancel
- Look after yourself and check in regularly with the befriending team.
Interested in becoming a befriender?
If you’d like to become a befriender or learn more about the role, we'd love to hear from you.
Call us on 01264 326 622 or apply below.
Befriending in memory of Marilyn Lee
The befriending service has been generously funded by the Hearn Foundation in memory of Marilyn Lee. Marilyn lived with wet AMD, and despite the fear and apprehension she felt, Marilyn was immensely positive and learned to live with the condition rather than be defined by it. She found support and courage from her connections with other people, and that’s what befriending can offer you too.
Other volunteer roles
Our volunteers are at the heart of the Macular Society, helping to Beat Macular Disease. We have a variety of roles available, depending on what you would like to do and how much time you can give.
The Macular Society is extremely grateful to The Hearn Foundation for a generous donation of £1m towards our befriending service. The gift was made in memory of Marilyn Lee, who received support from the Macular Society following her diagnosis of wet age-related macular degeneration.