Volunteer befriending service 

At the Baily Thomas Provident Fund, we are proud to offer a Companionship Grant designed to bring people together and enhance their wellbeing. Further information about the grant can be found here (link to Companionship grant application page). 

As part of the grant, beneficiaries have the option to choose a volunteer befriender – an ex-colleague from Mansfield Brewery PLC and its subsidiary businesses – to offer companionship, conversation and enjoyable outings. Whether it’s coffee and a chat at home, a trip out to the local garden centre or cafe, volunteer befrienders can help. 

Volunteer befrienders provide more than just a friendly chat; they share meaningful connections to your past work experiences, allowing you to reminisce and relive memories with someone who understands what it was like to work at the Brewery. They can also help reconnect you with other ex-colleagues who you may have lost touch with. 

All volunteer befrienders are beneficiaries of the Baily Thomas Provident Fund and go through a programme of training and various checks including an enhanced DBS check, before becoming a volunteer. 

If you are a beneficiary and would like to access the befriending service, simply apply for the grant in the usual way. Visit the companionship grant application page here and download the application form. Please ensure you read the grant guidance before applying. 

If you have any preferences regarding your befriender volunteer, please let us know as part of your application. We will try and match you with a befriender that meets your preferences where possible. 

Become a Volunteer Befriender 

Not only does the befriending service benefit the beneficiary being supported, but it also offers huge wellbeing benefits for those volunteering. 

By becoming a volunteer befriender, you will gain a true sense of purpose and benefit from the opportunity to socialise and form meaningful connections with others. 

You can volunteer as little or as much as your time allows.

What do I need to do to become a volunteer? 

Through our partnership with Jigsaw Home Care, volunteers receive full training and ongoing support. Jigsaw Home Care helps manage befriender volunteers on our behalf, ensuring a smooth and rewarding experience for all. 

In addition, volunteer befrienders receive reimbursement for any mileage and subsistence expenses incurred as part of their befriending.  Expenses are paid in line with our volunteer expense policy. 

To become a volunteer befriender, all we ask is that you: 

  • Commit to completing the agreed training through Jigsaw Home Care
  • Agree to an enhanced DBS check
  • Agree to be supervised by Jigsaw Home Care

  • Have a valid driver’s license, full car insurance and a current MOT (if taking beneficiaries out and about)

     

A service that works for all 

The volunteer befriending service is an enriching experience and has already created many successful and lasting companionships. By offering your time, you will be making a real difference to someone’s life, whilst enjoying the benefits of connection, social interaction and personal fulfillment. 

What to do next?

If you are interested in becoming a befriender volunteer, please contact the Baily Thomas Provident Team on 01623 473 290 or email enquiries@bailythomasprovidentfund.org.uk 

The team will be able to provide further information and start the process of getting you set up as a volunteer.