Rethink Companions Befriending (East Herts)
Community support
Rethink Companions is a befriending service that helps people to re-engage with their local community through social activities. There is also a carers service that gives carers information and support through one-to-one meetings and facilitates the Rethink caring and coping course
What we provide...
Our service supports people
- aged 18+ who have a diagnosed mental illness
- who are socially isolated
- who are known to NHS Secondary mental health services
- Who live in Hertfordshire in and around the towns of Ware, Hertford, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Cuffley and Waltham Cross
We provide:
- 121 Befriending with a volunteer or staff member to gain confidence in social settings and reduce isolation
- Group befriending every fortnight in a community setting
- Regular social activities & outings
Our services are normally delivered via a mixture of face to face one to one and group based support. However during the COVID pandemic, we are providing telephone and online support.
You can download a copy of our service leaflet at the bottom of this page.
How to refer...
We accept referrals from other professionals or you can self-refer to us for support.
We ask professionals to complete our referral form which can be downloaded at the bottom of this page and return this to us by email or post.
However if you wish to self-refer, we recognise that completing the form may be difficult, if so all you need to do is to make contact with us and provide as much information as possible by calling us on 07973 656395 or emailing us at carol.whitbourn@rethink.org
If you self refer, we will need to get in touch with other services e.g. the mental health team as part of the referral process.
Volunteering for the service
We are always looking for new volunteers for the service. If you are interested then please get in contact with us.
All volunteers will be asked to attend a short interview and we will need to obtain references and complete a DBS check as part of your volunteer application.
Volunteers will be offered regular group and 121 support and have an annual placement review meeting.
Volunteers will be offered suitable training and induction for their role.
What do you think of us?
Friends & Family Test
We really value the feedback of people who come into contact with our service.
You can visit this link to complete one quick question anonymously to let us know your views.
Select Eastern from the 'Region' drop down box and then select 'Rethink Companions Befriending Service' to enter your feedback.
Alternatively you can give us feedback by
- calling us on 07973 656395
- emailing us at carol.whitbourn@rethink.org
- speaking to one of our team in a group or 121 support session
- making a complaint on our website here
