Celebrating Connection and Community: Befriending Week 2024

Taking place from 1-7 November, Befriending Week is an annual campaign celebrating the importance of befriending. Here, Victoria Galloway, Learning and Development Manager at Befriending Networks, highlights why, with so many of the network’s members often working alone, Befriending Week offers an important opportunity to celebrate achievements, renew confidence and advocate for the meaningful work of befriending organisations.

As Learning and Development Manager at Befriending Networks for over six years, I have witnessed our team evolve and work diligently to support the delivery of befriending initiatives globally. Currently, our network includes 323 members, 85 of which are small projects with an annual turnover of less than £100,000. With 26% of our members being small organisations, we strive to provide a variety of support that can be accessed without financial concerns.

Established in 1994, Befriending Networks has over thirty years of experience in supporting and connecting communities. Our vision is of a society where quality befriending support is available to everyone who needs it and the importance of meaningful connection is recognised.

We offer free resources, sample policies and procedures, and exclusive free events for members to help all our constituents, regardless of their financial situation. In my role, I develop training courses, events, and materials to support staff development, good governance, and best practices within befriending (click here for more). I also conduct free consultancy sessions for projects (click here for more), enabling them to explore their needs and receive tailored advice or signposting to our services and external opportunities that may be beneficial.

Befriending Week 2024

Each year, we coordinate Befriending Week (click here for more). Taking place 1-7 November this year, the annual campaign highlights the importance of befriending and positively influencing volunteer recruitment for our member organisations.

When I joined Befriending Networks in 2018, my first Befriending Week was spent listening intently to those in the sector. This experience deepened my understanding of the variety of services available, the incredible impact of dedicated volunteers and teams, and the heartfelt testimonials from service users in the UK and beyond. It ignited my passion for community work, and each year, I hope our annual campaign can inspire others in the same way.

Befriending Week is a chance to celebrate community efforts, and the profound difference one person can make by fostering meaningful connections. During the week, we invite those in the befriending sector to reflect on their achievements over the previous year, thank volunteers and staff for their dedication, celebrate their service users, and share their meaningful connections with their stakeholders, government and the public.

The week presents organisations with an opportunity to advocate for their work, their positive impact, and their place in society. Befriending Networks supplies certificates, bunting, party packs and a range of resources that anyone can use for their celebrations (click here to access Befriending Week resources).

We will also host our Annual Conference and AGM on Thursday 7 November. It is open to the entire network and offers an opportunity for collaboration. Keynote speakers will share relevant research and practical examples to support community projects. With years of experience organising this event, I enjoyed our fresh approach in 2024. A steering group of our members has helped us identify their needs and expectations, shaping the framework and themes for the day.

Given the funding cuts impacting the Third Sector, the future of befriending feels uncertain for many. Therefore, our focus for the day will be on the Future of Befriending. We will provide keynotes on Leadership Skills, Innovation and Collaboration, and Volunteer Recruitment, with the hope that every attendee gains useful information and renewed confidence in their current efforts.

Helping befriending organisations to stay informed

Our team of nine supports over 300 befriending organisations through various methods, including 40 popular networking sessions held annually since 2020. For many members, often working alone, these sessions provide comfort and an opportunity to share challenges. They also help us address specific support needs directly, shaping our resources and training initiatives.

Befriending Networks offers a training programme with twenty courses, including eight specialized ones requested by the network. Unfortunately, we’ve created resources for service closure, which is increasingly necessary. Staying informed about the network's challenges allows us to offer relevant support, highlighting the importance of collaboration in our work.

Click here for more about Befriending Networks