Generous funding boost for our Befriending and Connection Service

30th April 2025

We are delighted to announce that our Befriending and Connection Service has received generous funding support from The Grateful Society and The Dolphin Society.

The Grateful Society has contributed £7,500, while The Dolphin Society has provided an incredible £15,000. This funding will help us continue our vital work in connecting unpaid carers with the support and companionship they need.

The Befriending and Connection Service supports unpaid carers who may feel lonely or isolated due to their caring role, particularly those living in rural areas.

Through this service, carers aged 55 and over in Bristol and South Gloucestershire can be matched with a friendly volunteer befriender who will provide weekly calls for six weeks. In addition to offering companionship, the service helps connect carers to local support and resources. As this is a telephone service, it also means that the carer does not have to worry about leaving the person they care for. After the initial six-week period, carers can also be paired with another carer for ongoing peer support, ensuring continued connection and encouragement. 

This initiative aims to reduce isolation and enhance the well-being of carers by fostering meaningful relationships and improving access to vital services. Our Befriending and Connection Service plays a crucial role in this work, providing emotional support and helping carers across Bristol and South Gloucestershire build meaningful connections. Thanks to this funding, we can extend our reach and offer even more carers the opportunity to benefit from this support. 

Camilla Qureshi, our Befriending and Community Connection Co-Ordinator, shared her thoughts on this generous support: "This funding is a lifeline for so many carers who often feel isolated and unsupported. It allows us to reach more people, provide meaningful connections, and ensure that no carer feels alone in their journey." 

We are truly grateful for this support, which makes a real difference in the lives of those who care for others. 

Learn more about our Befriending and Connection Service