Edinburgh Charity Launches First Ever Befriending Service for Physically Disabled Adults

Edinburgh-based disability charity Ecas has launched a befriending service for physically disabled adults living in Edinburgh. The service which operates across the City is the first of its kind in terms of an able-bodied volunteer befriending a physically disabled person; additionally the project has initiated a ‘facilitated friendship’ service which helps two disabled people to keep in touch and stay friends, which also breaks the traditional volunteering mould.
  The project will be jointly funded over a three year period by the Rank Foundation providing £45k, and by Ecas itself providing the remaining £30k. The aim is to recruit and train volunteers to befriend physically disabled adults who are most isolated for any number of reasons including mobility issues, communication issues and limiting care packages. The volunteer befrienders will provide companionship on a one to one basis in people’s homes as well out and about.
 
Claire Lawrie, the befriending project manager, said: “Friendship is something that most of us take for granted, but isolation is a massive issue for the disabled community and is a major factor in secondary issues such as low self-confidence and depression. The befriending project aims to help people get out and about and to enjoy life. There is already a high demand for this service and we will need to recruit a number of match volunteers.”
 
She continued: “It is a highly responsible role but volunteers can come from all walks of life – from students to the retired or elderly – as long as you are a mature, honest and responsible adult who can devote some time on a regular basis. It can open up whole new experiences, and volunteers are always fully supported in their role. The purpose of the service is to offer friendship to those who need it most, and not to provide a social work service or essential care.”
 
Every potential volunteer befriender is required to be officially interviewed and Disclosure Scotland checked, and will receive the appropriate training before being recruited and matched to a client. Where possible, individuals are matched on the basis of the suitability of gender, geographical locality, shared interests and personal meetings.
 
The project target is to successfully identify 15 supervised matches; and is currently working towards the Approved Provider Standard with the assistance of the Befriending Network Scotland.