Volunteer community befriending

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The context

Recent research on tenancy sustainment in Scotland underlined social isolation and lack of connections in an area often feature as reasons for tenancies breaking down. Research tells us people often lose or reduce their informal support networks during homelessness, relying more on formal, paid supports. This can create a trigger point when support ends on or soon after rehousing.

Scottish Government’s 2009 Guidance recognised the positive role of social networks in preventing homelessness, “particularly befriending, mentoring and mediation”. But 2013 research found though most Councils saw a link between social networks and prevention, less than a third commissioned mentoring or befriending services. Bethany Christian Trust’s Passing the Baton service has been making these connections since 2006.

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The intervention

Bethany’s befriending service was devised by a hostel manager who noticed a gap in support for people moving on from temporary accommodation into their own homes – often in areas of Edinburgh they didn’t know well or have connections in. Whilst formal housing support was available for initial tenancy set up and practical help, a more holistic focus on building confidence to make connections in the local area and be part of a community was often lacking. The Health and Social Care Partnership now funds the service, in recognition of the role befriending can play in reducing health and social inequalities.

Passing the Baton is run by two paid staff and has 19 volunteer befrienders. As it’s specifically focused on sustaining homes and preventing homelessness, referrals can be made for people who’ve just moved into a home from homelessness, or who may be at risk of future tenancy breakdown. Most referrals come from community link workers, social workers and housing support agencies. Befrienders are PVG-checked and offered prior and ongoing training on subjects like good listening, self-care and mental health awareness. Befrienders are members of a local church; people they befriend can be of any faith, or none.

Befrienders are carefully matched with a befriendee and offer up to two hours weekly for up to a year, based on mutual agreement. They aim to journey with the person, find out their interests and goals, and build a relationship. They might do this by meeting for coffee, going for a walk or supporting them to get to know and/or attend local gyms, creative classes or support groups. Befriendees may also go onto other roles at Bethany, such as volunteering in their other services or, for example, sitting on interview panels for senior staff (including the CEO). The service is qualitatively different to a support worker. The befriender isn’t paid to be in a person’s life, and generally derive as much benefit as the befriendee.  

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The outcome

Since 2019, 86 people have been befriended by Passing the Baton. Each one is sustaining their tenancy. 60% feel more connected to the community and report feeling less isolated. 50% agree they’ve increased their ‘circle of relationships’ and feel more positive about the future. 40% deem their health and well-being has improved (note: these outcomes were achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Analysis by consultancy Oxera in 2015 for St Vincent de Paul, which also offers volunteer-led befriending, found a benefit–cost ratio of 2.87 (i.e. £2.87 of benefits for £1 of costs). The consultant stated explicitly they expected similar ratios for agencies offering similar services. The low cost of a largely volunteer-run service, with the added mutual benefit accrued by volunteers, makes befriending especially cost-effective and replicate-able, as recommended by the Cinnamon Network, which endorsed Passing the Baton.

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Key insights

• social/community networks should form a greater part of a housing support assessment so befriending referrals can be made early, and not simply because formal support is ending
• it’s crucial to ensure volunteers have the right resources, training and supervision, and to keep in regular touch with them to ensure they feel supported and know their contribution is recognised
• whilst volunteers need to be available and responsive, it’s also important to set clear boundaries with people supported, for example, around exchanging gifts or sharing personal information

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Find out more…

Liz Bowes, Homelessness Prevention Manager, Bethany Christian Trust
lizbowes@bethanychristiantrust.com