North Dublin Befriending Service Katy Hoban Service Co-ordinator

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North Dublin Befriending ServiceKaty Hoban
Service Co-ordinator

• Supporting people with mental health
• Difficulties living in their community

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North Dublin Befriending

• With the emphasis on developing community based
  services one of the problems identified when
  placing someone in the community was social
  isolation. (Vision for Change)
• The North Dublin Befriending Service was set up
  to help reduce this isolation and to provide
  these people with opportunities for social
  interaction and a sense of being part of a
  community.

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MISSION STATEMENT

• The Befriending Service supports people with
  mental health difficulties, to re-integrate into
  their communities, empowering them to
  re-establish personal interests and contacts and
  access resources within their community, thus
  alleviating social isolation and exclusion.

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SERVICE AIMS

• The aim of the North Dublin Befriending Service
  is to improve the quality of life of people with
  mental health difficulties.
• To promote the independence of such individuals
  and encourage their integration into local
  community.
• To assist people with mental health difficulties
  to re-establish personal interests and social
  contacts within the community alleviating social
  isolation and exclusion.
• To motivate and support individuals with mental
  health difficulties in accessing other community
  resources.

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Brief Background

• The Mental Health Associations in North Dublin in
  conjunction with the community mental health
  services recognised that a service was required
  to address the problem of social inclusion for
  people with Mental Health Difficulties.
• Mental Health Ireland, applied for funds from
  Dormant accounts.
• North Dublin Befriending Project, started in July
  2005, Administered by Mental Health Ireland. This
  was a two year project 2005-2007.
• After the project, in October 2007 the North
  Dublin Befriending Service was established.
• The Service is funded by the HSE.

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Building the Service

• In July 2005 the Befriending Project set up and
  two co-ordinators employed.
• Advisory committee consisted of a representative
  from the Mental Health Associations in North
  Dublin and representative from the community
  mental health services.
• Policies and procedures drawn up
• Recruitment and training of volunteers
• Presentations were made to all relevant stake
  holders in areas 6, 7 and 8.
• 1st Dec. 2005 - First match meeting took place.

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North Dublin Befriending Service

• Community based voluntary support service for
  people experiencing mental health difficulties
• It involves matching a person who has a mental
  health problem with a trained and supported
  volunteer who gives 2 4 hours of their time
  each week.
• Each befriending match is initiated, supported
  and monitored by the two co-ordinators.
• The service also provides 3 Social Clubs in
  Finglas, Balbriggan and Blanchardstown.

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WHO IS THE SERVICE FOR?

• Those over 18 years of age, living in the
  community experiencing mental health
  difficulties who -
• Feel isolated and find it hard to socialize.
• Would like to make new friends and try new
  things.
• Wish to develop new interests and hobbies.
• Wish to improve their social life.

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How can Befriending meet the needs of people with
mental health difficulties

• By Supporting the befriendee to achieve their own
  personal goals (e.g. Using public transport,
  socializing in public etc.)
• By Providing an opportunity for the befriendee to
  have support in participating and developing
  their interests and hobbies.
• By Assisting the befriendee to access community
  resources such as training and education.

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Important Issues

• North Dublin Befriending Service is an alcohol
  and drug free Service. The safety of both the
  befriendee and the befriender (volunteer) must be
  considered at all times
• All volunteers are covered by our insurance.
• Confidentiality is of the utmost importance
• Public transport is advisable when meeting as
  volunteers can not give lifts in their own cars.
• Volunteers are advised not to disclose their
  personal telephone numbers to befriendees

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WHAT IS BEFRIENDING?

• Spending regular time together
• Giving individual attention and support
• Helping people to help themselves
• Encouraging choice
• Being a good listener
• Helping to reduce social isolation
• Having fun

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BEFRIENDING IS NOT

• Trying to solve all the befriendees problems
• Making judgments about lifestyle and behaviour
• Counselling or therapy
• Being a babysitter or home help or a driver
• Feeling responsible for the befriendees
  decisions or actions
• Giving advice that is not asked for
• Creating a dependency on you

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Qualities Needed by Volunteers

• Reliable, dependable, consistent
• Good communication skills
• An ability to work on ones own initiative
• Common sense
• Understanding and empathy
• Warmth an ability to engage in relationships

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Volunteer supports

• A core objective of the Befriending Service is to
  ensure that all volunteers are well trained,
  supported and supervised.
• Resource Pack (Volunteer Handbook)
• Telephone support available from co-ordinator
• Group support Evaluation sessions with fellow
  volunteers at regular intervals.
• Ongoing volunteer training i.e.. First Aid.

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How does one become a Befriendee ?

• He/She voluntarily must choose to.
• They feel that they want to begin to work at
  integration within their own communities
• They are referred by the Community Mental Health
  Team, Social workers, or their GP.
• An informal meeting is set up to discuss their
  application
• A match with a suitable volunteer is made
• An introductory meeting is set up

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What happens next

• A volunteer is matched with a befriendee
  (Location, hobbies and interests, gender)
• Volunteer meets with the befriendee and
  co-ordinator
• Continuous support is provided by the
  co-ordinator to both parties for the initial 4/5
  meetings (or longer if required) followed by
  on-going reviews and evaluations.
• The level of support provided thereafter is based
  on each individual needs

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Achievements to Date

• Endorsement from MENTAL HEALTH EUROPE, Best
  Practice .
• HSE Achievement Awards 2007, Best Service for
  Adopting and Adapting Good Practice. 
• Development of a Training Programme, and have
  successful trained 155 volunteers.
• Independent Service.
• Three Social Clubs, in Finglas, Blanchardstown
  and Balbriggan.

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Conclusion

• With a strong commitment to the principle of
  Recovery our aim is to empower those living in
  the community with a mental health difficulty to
  fully engage in community life in line with their
  own aspirations and preferences and reduce the
  stigma attached to mental illness.

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• Web Site - www.befriendingservice.com
• Email - info_at_befriendingservice.com
• Phone Number - 01-8387184
• Co - ordinator - Katy Hoban