#BefriendingIs friendship, company and connection
During the lockdown this spring, Joan found herself even more isolated. She’s unable to get out much because of her disability, and ended up going for long stretches without talking to anyone. So her social worker recommended befriending as a way to feel more connected at a time when her family couldn’t visit.
Through the Ecas Distance Befriending Service, she was introduced to John, who also leads the Ecas’ Reading and Creative Writing Group. She shares pictures of her beautiful handmade cards with him, they’ve done quizzes for fun, and he’s helped her look up information and music online. And above all, they talk about anything and everything, from a shared love of crime novels to family to football to politics.
“He matches up with me brilliantly,” Joan says. “We’re always talking and laughing. I can talk to him about what’s going on with me, and he tells me what he’s up to.”
“I look forward to our calls,” she adds. “I always know I’ve got someone to talk to.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, our existing befriending matches could no longer meet face-to-face so some began to connect by phone or voice or video app. Because many more people have felt isolated over the last several months, we are now accepting referrals to our new Distance Befriending Service.
Through this service, Joan can chat weekly to someone who shares her interests and boosts her spirits. “John is a star,” she says. “There aren’t that many truly wonderful people in the world, but he’s one of them.”
Are you – or do you know – someone who could benefit from our Distance Befriending Service? Find out more about the referral process, and contact us at 07500 221618 or hello@ecas.scot for a chat.
