MHA launches befriending service

A telephone befriending scheme set up by Methodist Homes (MHA) has helped two individuals create an amazing friendship.

MHA set up the telephone befriending service to offer support and companionship to older people who feel or are at risk of becoming lonely and/or socially isolated across the UK.

John Stedman was in a very difficult place following the death of his wife Sheila, whom he was married to for 57 years.

He was encouraged by his grief counsellor who helped him to get in touch with the befriending team at MHA. John then got involved in the scheme and that was where he was introduced to 23-yearold volunteer Ellie Tyzack in September 2022.

Since then, the pair have been having weekly calls via the telephone and virtually on ZOOM. Speaking on the service John said, ‘The calls with Ellie have really helped me through a very difficult time in my life.

‘The befriending service at MHA is a wonderful initiative and something that will continue to help me and hopefully plenty of other people out there. The befriending team encouraged me a great deal and helped me to speak and I am feeling a lot better now.’

MHA is currently recruiting telephone befrienders to help more older people like John. To find out more and get involved visit, www.mha.org.uk/getinvolved/volunteering/roles/ befriending/