Befriending Service in Edinburgh
Ecas operates a befriending service for physically disabled adults who live in Edinburgh and would like some extra company. Our befriending service provides friendship and companionship for socially isolated people.
Ecas Befrienders usually visit once a week, to help brighten your day and help you get out and about, if that’s something you would like to do.
All our befrienders are volunteers and we match people based on shared interests and personalities. We always ensure there is some common ground as a starting point, to help the friendship flourish!
Some recent Befriending stories from Ecas
A Befriending Story – when Sandro met Sharon
Sandro and Sharon have been meeting up regularly since May 2023 and are both thoroughly enjoying each other’s company!
Meet Paul, an Ecas Befriender
Meet Paul, an Ecas Befriender, he has been a befriender with Ecas for 9 years and is still loving the experience
David’s befriending story
“In short, the experience of befriending proved to be a massively positive part of my life and hopefully that of my befriendee.” David was a Volunteer Befriender with Ecas …
Ready to get in touch?
Please find out more about eligibility for Ecas services then contact us for more information
Interested in Volunteering? Please find out more about Ecas Volunteer Befriending
More about our Befriending Service
- Ecas Befrienders are volunteers, from all walks of life and are adults of all ages
- They include people who are retired, students, non-disabled and disabled
- We check to make sure that all befrienders are suitable (through references and enhanced disclosure checks)
- Our befrienders receive training, ongoing support and expenses.
What befrienders do
- Get to know you, have a chat and provide some fun
- Visit you regularly (usually once a week)
- Keep you company
- Share interests, such as playing games
- Help you get out and about (for example for a cup of tea in a café, to a gallery or to the cinema)
All Ecas Befrienders are trained in:
- Disability awareness
- Boundaries
- Confidentiality
- Communication techniques
- Safety
- Wheelchair handling (where necessary)
Ecas Befrienders don’t provide any kind of personal care. They don’t give medication.
How we match our befrienders with befriendees
- Ecas gets to know you both, finding out about you, your interests, hobbies and so on
- We introduce you to one another. You both have the chance to decide if you want to see one another
- We review the arrangement regularly as we want to make sure that both of you want to continue. It’s OK for either of you to ask for a different match at any time.
Interested in the Ecas Befriending Service?
Please find out more about eligibility for Ecas services then contact us for more information