One-to-one befriending and buddy schemes
RVA’s Volunteering Opportunities lists organisations that currently have volunteering opportunities available or you can look at organisations’ websites.
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For people over 18
Engage Befriending and Wellbeing
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For people over 50
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For people with Alzheimer’s and dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society offers a peer support service for people with dementia.
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For people with life-limiting conditions, who are thought to be in the last year of their lives
Sue Ryder – Duchess of Kent House befriending scheme.
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For people with physical disabilities to get out and enjoy hobbies, interests and activities of their choosing (NB this is not a traditional at-home befriending scheme)
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For people with sight loss
Berkshire Vision offer telephone befriending
Blind Veterans offer at-home, online and telephone befriending.
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For young families going through hard times
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For children with a disability and additional needs
Me2 Club is an inclusion charity for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities in the Wokingham and Reading Boroughs. We support children and young people aged 5-19 to take part in mainstream leisure activities by recruiting and training volunteers to ‘buddy’ 1:1 with them (2:1 when required) so they can join in and have fun.
Social groups, clubs and activities
One-to-one matching is not the only way to get involved: there are also social, lunch and craft clubs and activities that need volunteers. The Reading Services Guide is a searchable website that lists local social activities and groups.