Ready Friends
- This project is all about supporting local people, communities and voluntary sector groups to reduce loneliness and social isolation in Reading. A number of Ready Friends activities (like the Befriending Forums) are held regularly but we also undertake time-limited projects in response to the changing needs of the people who live in the town.
- Ready Friends supports lots of existing local community groups and charities and works in partnership with public bodies like Reading Borough Council. However, we are always interested in talking to new people who would like to take action on loneliness and have an idea they’d like to develop. Ready Friends can help with information, advice, training and support around developing your idea; funding; finding a venue; recruiting volunteers; publicising your event or project and identifying potential partner organisations.
- Got an idea? Get in touch! ready.friends@rva.org.uk
Ready Friends News
Sign up here for regular Ready Friends News and read the most recent issues below:
- Ready Friends Befriending Forums meet quarterly and bring together local people who want to take community action on loneliness and social isolation. They could be from an existing charity or voluntary organisation or an emerging community group or someone who’d like to make a difference in their neighbourhood.
- Each Forum event is themed and we welcome suggestions for items to include. We always start with introductions and good news from groups around Reading, so it’s a great way to network, share your work and find partners for new projects.
The next Forum is on 7 March 2024, 1-3pm in the RVA offices, 3rd floor, Reading central library
Please CLICK HERE to book.
The next Befriending Forum will explore the role that social prescribing plays in reducing loneliness and social isolation for people in Reading.
- Welcome, introductions and event outcomes
- Small groups workshop and feedback
- Forthcoming training, voluntary sector updates, news etc
- Additional networking time
Reports and resources from previous forums – please click on the links
If you want to start up a befriending service from scratch
Resources for your group or organisation
- Start Up and Run a Group RVA’s guide on setting up a new group
- Starting a Befriending Service: an introductory guide
- Volunteer Now Good practice guidelines to setting up befriending service
- A comprehensive guide to befriending practice in the UK Befriending Networks Good practice in Befriending
- Short video on supporting volunteers Supporting volunteers
Resources for your volunteers
- Top Ten Tips for new befrienders Basic guidance for people who have not been a befriender before.
- A more in-depth training guide Being a Befriender : a good practice guide
- The NHS / Royal Voluntary Service Check In And Chat guidance includes some useful tips Getting started as a Check in and Chat volunteer
- Looking after yourself Protecting Your Wellbeing
- Short video of basic safeguarding guidance Safeguarding tips
- Short video of staying safe whilst volunteering Staying safe
- Short video of good practice tips for safeguarding for telephone befrienders Telephone befriending
Ready Friends Toolkit
Ready Friends, in partnership with Reading Neighbourhoods Network, have a toolkit for anyone interested in taking action on loneliness and social isolation. Access the online toolkit where you can also download an 8-page booklet to share.
Other resources
- Making Reading Friendlier: a Ready Friends Action Plan 2019-2020
- Look at the range of befriending schemes in Reading.
- See opportunities to support people facing loneliness and social isolation
