Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about the work we do or how you could get involved with Montrose Befriending Service?
Check out the relevant FAQ sections on this page by clicking on the titles below.
Becoming a Befriender
What is Befriending?
Why become a Befriender?
How many hours do I need to commit to?
Do I need training in order to become a Befriender?
How do I get matched with a Befriendee?
Will it cost me anything to be a Befriender?
How do I go about becoming a volunteer befriender?
Befriending is a simple but effective way that individuals can help to reduce loneliness and social isolation faced by vulnerable people within our community.
Our Befriending Service matches people who may be feeling isolated or vulnerable with a trained volunteer Befriender who can then provide safe, friendly and reliable one-to-one social contact each week. Regular visits can help build confidence, improve well-being and bring companionship, structure and enjoyment back into everyday life.
Befriending is about creating a supportive, trusted relationship that helps people feel less alone and more connected to their community.
Becoming a Befriender is a rewarding way to make a real difference in someone’s life. By giving just a couple of hours each week, you can help reduce loneliness and isolation while offering companionship, encouragement and someone to talk to.
As a Befriender, you’ll receive training, ongoing support from our Befriending Coordinator, and opportunities to meet with other Befrienders through regular Peer Support sessions. Whether you’re looking to give back to your community, learn new skills or simply help someone feel more connected, befriending is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact.
Befriending can have great benefits for you too including:
- A sense of purpose or fulfillment
- Experience in the volunteer/charity sector
- Meeting new people and forming new bonds
- Personal development in areas such as communication, listening and empathy
We ask those interested in becoming Befrienders to commit to approximately 2 hours a week to spend with their Befriendee.
To help maintain consistency, we also ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months if possible.
Yes, we require that every Befriender completes our in-house training before they can begin any 1-1 volunteering.
This is to ensure not only the safety of potentially vulnerable Befriendees but also to equip you with knowledge and skills to help you navigate your journey as a Befriender.
Our training is led by Grace Linton, our Befriending Coordinator, and takes place over the span of 4 weeks with each session lasting approx. 2 hours.
Topics covered during training include, among other things:
- Befriending an older person
- boundaries and Safety of Clients
- Listening and Communication
- Diversity and Inclusion
After a volunteer completes our Befriender training, they are then matched up with someone from our Befriendee waiting list.
This match is made based upon various factors including availability, personality, age range and common or complementary interests/hobbies.
No, completing the training and becoming a Befriender is completely free. All we ask of you is your time and commitment.
Additionally, out-of-pocket expenses, such as petrol or coffee, that are incurred while doing activities with your Befriendee will be paid back to you by Montrose Befriending Service.
If you are interested in becoming a Befriender then the first step is to email info.montrosebefriending@gmail.com to register your interest.
Our Befriending Coordinator, Grace, will then be in touch to arrange a meeting. This will just be an informal chance to get to know you and to explain more about the charity. At this meeting, you also receive an application form to complete and we will then require 2 referees.
Befriendees
What does ‘Befriendee’ mean?
Who is eligible for the Befriending service?
How do I apply for a befriender for myself or someone I know?
‘Befriendee’ is the term that we at MBS use to refer to individuals who have been referred to our service in order to be matched with a trained volunteer (a Befriender) for regular, supportive companionship.
Other similar charities may use terms such as ‘service users’, ‘clients’ or ‘mentees’ but we prefer Befriendee as it feels warmer and more friendship focused.
The Befriending Service is open and welcoming to all regardless of age, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
Anyone over the age of 17, living in Montrose or the surrounding districts who is struggling with loneliness or social isolation can be referred to us.
Referrals can be made through the Community Link Worker via the Links Health Centre.
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept self-referrals.
Individuals can however be referred through healthcare workers such as a doctor, a mental health worker or someone from the Social Work Department.
The Befriending Service is very popular and as a result there can unfortunately be a bit of a waiting list.
Castaways Craft Shop
What time is the Castaways shop open?
How can I donate items to the shop?
Are there any volunteering opportunities at Castaways?
Can I bring my dog into Castaways?
Castaways is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
These times may differ during Christmas and New Year as well as some Bank Holidays so please check our Facebook page for opening details around these times.
Donations of craft supplies are always welcome and much appreciated.
Donations can be brought into the store at any time Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
If you would like to make a donation but are unable to attend during opening hours, then please email office.montrosebefriending@gmail.com and we will do our best to make arrangements.
Yes, Castaways is run solely by volunteers.
We always ensure to have two volunteers in the shop at any given time and operate a rota system of morning and afternoon shifts.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Castaways, please email office.montrosebefriending@gmail.com.
Yes!
Castaways is dog-friendly and so you are very welcome to bring them into the shop.
Volunteering
are there different ways I can volunteer with Montrose Befriending Service?
Do I need specific qualifications to become a volunteer?
How much time am I expected to commit as a volunteer?
Are there any opportunities for
Younger volunteers?
We are always looking for new members to join our wonderful volunteer team.
Our main need is for Befrienders but we realise that that role may not suit everyone and so we offer several other flexible volunteering opportunities too.
These include:
- Helping to support group activities such as our craft or games groups.
- Centre maintenance such as light cleaning, restocking supplies, resetting rooms after use etc.
- Running the till at Castaways, our craft shop.
- Light admin work such as making posters, creating content for social media etc.
- Gardening within our small courtyard.
- Assisting with setup/pack down or on the day at fundraising events such as coffee mornings.
How ever you would like to help, please contact office.montrosebefriending@gmail.com and we will help you to find a role that best fits your skills, interests, and availability.
No qualifications are required in order to volunteer with us.
We will provide all the necessary training and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and prepared for your chosen role.
We appreciate any time you can give, and we work with you to find a schedule that suits your situation.
Whether you can commit to a few hours a week or can only help on a more occasional basis, your contribution will make a significant difference.
We have a joint Befriending project with Montrose Academy and Fordmill Care Home where 5th and 6th year students from the Academy can apply to volunteer.
You can find out more information about this by visiting ourYoung Befrienders page.
General FAQs
What is the primary goal of the Montrose Befriending Service?
Can anyone join the different Montrose Befriending Service groups?
What are donations and funding used for?
Where can I find your Privacy Policy?
Where can I find your Terms of Service?
The service aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation within the local community.
We achieve this by facilitating meaningful connections through group activities and dedicated one-to-one befriending relationships.
You can find more information about our goals and our mission statement on our About Us page
Currently, most of our groups are by invite or referral only, so that we can keep them as safe and welcoming spaces for those who may need more support.
Our Coffee Groups are always open door though and everyone is welcome to pop in. These run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 till 12:30 in our main activity room at No.32 Castle Street.
Montrose Befriending Service is a registered charity (SC052396) and relies entirely on donations and funding.
All funding goes to specified items such as volunteer training materials, promotional banners and staff wages.
Donations are used to cover building expenses such as rent, heating and lighting as well as to help facilitate our Befriending service. This can include reimbursing volunteer expenses, purchasing supplies for refreshments or cleaning, or acquiring materials needed for craft groups or specific events.
You can find more information, including our yearly accounts, via our OSCR profile.
You can access our website Privacy Policy here or via the link in the footer of every page.
You can access our website Terms of Service here or via the link in the footer of every page.
