Befriending

Survivors can be paired with a befriender if they are feeling lonely or isolated. The aim of befriending is to increase social interactions and engagement within their local communities.

Befriending is only offered to survivors who identify as a woman and young people.

Befriending can be joining an art class together, going for a cup of tea, visiting a museum or the cinema, walking in the park or simply getting out of the door that day. Activities are decided by the befriender and the survivor together and the costs are covered by RASAC.

I look forward to seeing my befriender. It gets me out of the house (and my bed sometimes) and that feels good. I have tried lots of things that 6 months ago I would have never done. This week I went to the cinema and with my anxiety being in a room with lots of people where I can’t see the door can be impossible. But my befriender took me during the day when it was quiet, spoke to me when I felt worried, and I sat at the end of the aisle to feel like I could leave if I needed to, and I did it. First film in 6 years!

You can speak to someone to find out more by calling us or emailing us. You can find our contact details here.