If you’re feeling alone or isolated because of your mental health, you might find it helpful to receive one-on-one practical support and assistance from a local volunteer befriender. Whether you are going through an issue that you feel is hard to talk to those around you, or just want a friendly chat and listening ear, our trained volunteer befrienders can support you.

How can befriending help? 

  • Find companionship and friendship
  • Reduce isolation and loneliness
  • Improve self confidence and self-esteem
  • Get assistance with developing self-help and coping skills
  • Support with a mild to moderate mental health issue

What can I expect?

A Befriender is someone who can be there just for you; to listen to you and give you some time when you most need it.

You’ll be matched with a trained volunteer ‘friend’ who will work at your pace and offer non-judgemental support. The service can be provided face to face or via telephone support.

The St Helens Mind Befriending Service aims to improve your self-confidence, self-esteem and reduce loneliness and isolation caused by mild to moderate mental health challenges. The Befriending Service is not an emergency or crisis support and cannot provide professional counselling, therapy or home help support. 

How do I access this service?

If you think the Befriending Service can help you, please ask for a referral form. Call the Befriending Service Team on 07912 059881. Your form will need to be completed by your key worker, social worker, or another professional who is working with you.

Referral Form

When the completed form is received, someone from the St Helens Mind Befriending Service Team will contact you to arrange a meeting to discuss your situation and how we may be able to help.

The social contact with the befriender and being treated as a person not an illness was the most useful aspect of the support.