Scottish Government website
Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations
Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh is for people aged over 18 who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
email befrienders@slcvo.org.uk or call 01478 612921
About Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh
Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh is funded by the Highland Hospice, the National Lottery and the Green Health Partnership. We work with GP’s, Social Work, Third Sector Organisations and Families to match clients with a volunteer befriender. Although Covid-19 has stopped our volunteers from meeting with clients face to face we are continuing to provide befriending support through telephone befriending and our emergency response service Community Calls.
Telephone Befriending
In October 2020, 16 Community Calls Volunteers joined our existing befrienders to support our new telephone befriending service. This service ensures that volunteers and clients who want to keep the connections made during lock-down can, in a secure and supported service run by SLCVO.
Befrienders Review
To see how we responded to Covid-19 and read about the new befriending download our Befrienders Review here
To see what our volunteers thought of the Community Calls service visit our Facebook page and watch our video here
Garden Sharing Project
Funding from the Highland Green Health Partnership Small Grants Fund is helping us to trial a new initiative of connecting people though gardening. The idea behind the project is to connect those who like gardening with people who have garden space but, may not be able to get out into their garden so much. We want to build connections to local growers’ hubs and garden groups such as Rassay Walled Garden and Viewfeld Garden Collective and to help people to enjoy being outside in their gardens once again.
The project was initially to start in the spring of this year however, Covid-19 has pushed the project back and we are now starting to look for people who would like help in their gardens and people who would like to help by volunteering for the project. If you are interested in the project contact Claire at communitycalls@slcvo.org.uk
Become a Volunteer
If you would like to become a volunteer befriender, download our application form from our website or by contact Claire at befrienders@slcvo.org.uk 014780612921 Here
Make a referral
If you know of anyone who would benefit from the Befrienders service, you download a copy of our Referral Form or contact Claire at befrienders@slcvo.org.uk, 01478 612921 Here
Befrienders Co-Ordinator
Claire Nairn is SLCVO's Befrienders Co-ordinator, she has worked with Skye and Lochalsh CVO for 2 years and since the start of July 2020 managed the Covid-19 emergency response service Community Calls.
Having 14 years’ experience of
working in Social Care Claire is well placed to run the service. If you would like to chat to Claire about the Befrienders service you can contact her on 01478 612921 or email befrienders@slcvo.org.uk.
