Befriending Service in Edinburgh
Ecas operates a befriending service for physically disabled adults who live in Edinburgh and would like some extra company. Our befriending service provides friendship and companionship for socially isolated people.
Ecas Befrienders usually visit once a week, to help brighten your day and help you get out and about, if that’s something you would like to do.
All our befrienders are volunteers and we match people based on shared interests and personalities.
We always ensure there is some common ground as a starting point, to help the friendship flourish!
Some recent Befriending stories from Ecas
Inspiring Volunteers Awards 2024
Ecas is delighted to announce that two of our volunteers have won 2024 Inspiring Volunteer Awards.
A Befriending Story – when Sandro met Sharon
Sandro and Sharon have been meeting up regularly since May 2023 and are both thoroughly enjoying each other’s company!
Meet Paul, an Ecas Befriender
Meet Paul, an Ecas Befriender, he has been a befriender with Ecas for 9 years and is still loving the experience
Ready to get in touch?
Find out more about volunteering as a befriender – contact us today
Get support – follow our process to make a referral
More about our Befriending Service
- Ecas Befrienders are volunteers, from all walks of life and are adults of all ages
- They include people who are retired, students, non-disabled and disabled
- We check to make sure that all befrienders are suitable (through references and enhanced disclosure checks)
- Our befrienders receive training, ongoing support and expenses.
What befrienders do
- Get to know you, have a chat and provide some fun
- Visit you regularly (usually once a week)
- Keep you company
- Share interests, such as playing games
- Help you get out and about (for example for a cup of tea in a café, to a gallery or to the cinema)
All Ecas Befrienders are trained in:
- Disability awareness
- Boundaries
- Confidentiality
- Communication techniques
- Safety
- Wheelchair handling (where necessary)
Ecas Befrienders don’t provide any kind of personal care. They don’t give medication.
How we match our befrienders with befriendees
Ecas gets to know you both, finding out about you, your interests, hobbies and so on
We introduce you to one another. You both have the chance to decide if you want to see one another
We review the arrangement regularly as we want to make sure that both of you want to continue. It’s OK for either of you to ask for a different match at any time.
Interested in the Ecas Befriending Service?
Ready to find out more about volunteering as a befriender? Contact us today
Get support – follow our process to make a referral