Through our Bilingual Telephone Befriending Project, we match people with a shared culture and language together to create friendships that make life better. SIS runs this project in partnership with another Brighton based charity, Together Co.
In December, Together Co organised a festive get together for some of their Befriending project Volunteers and participants. SIS was invited to join in, and a small group of Farsi speakers along with a SIS Farsi interpreter and SIS Projects Coordinator were delighted to attend. The event at the Brighthelm Centre included live music, food, a raffle, and plenty of chances to chat and interact with others. Thanks to Together Co for including us in such a lovely event.
‘It was also so great to meet Laura and Nina yesterday and all those that attended to join in with the celebrations. To all of you at SIS, I wanted to say a thank you for being such a wonderful partner organisation and from all of us at Together Co we look forward to developing this further in 2023 and beyond.’ April Baker, Together Co CEO
Migrants are especially vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. A Telephone Befriender can make a real difference to one person’s life. A regular weekly phone call is a positive social experience that relieves isolation and other social stresses. It is distraction from everyday problems, can boost confidence, connect people with the community, help with integration and provide a sense of purpose.
‘I would like to thank you for this project, it is great. It came at the right time for me. I was very depressed and it really helped me with my mood. The calls were great for me, it was not formal, and it wasn’t about asking and answering formal questions. It was informal and a real chat with a friend and we laughed together. It released the pressure and worries for me. There is nothing to improve, you are like angels for me.’ Arabic speaking Scheme Member
Volunteering as a Befriender has an impact on both the Volunteer and the person they are matched with. Here are some of the commonly used words and phrases our Volunteers use when asked how they feel about the project:
This is service is currently not able to take referrals – please refer to Together Co – Befriending
