Befriending Week 2026: Celebrating the power of connection

Having someone to talk to, share a coffee with or simply spend time alongside can make a real difference to our mental health. This Befriending Week, we’re celebrating the friendships and connections that help people feel less alone.

We all need to feel connected to others. Whether it’s a friendly conversation, a walk together or knowing there’s someone looking forward to seeing us, having people in our lives who make time for us can have a positive impact on how we feel.

But we also know that loneliness and isolation can affect anyone, at any age or stage of life. Changes in our circumstances, difficulties with our mental health, bereavement or simply finding it harder to get out and meet people can all leave us feeling disconnected from those around us.

At Mind in Harrogate District, we believe everyone deserves to feel connected, valued and supported. Through our Befriending Service, we’re helping people across Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Nidderdale, Ripon and Masham build meaningful connections, enjoy companionship and feel more involved in their local communities.

This Befriending Week, we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate the people who make these connections possible and share the difference that befriending continues to make across our district.

What is befriending?

Our Befriending Service brings people together by matching those who may be experiencing loneliness, isolation or difficulties with their mental health with a trained volunteer befriender.

Once matched, people usually meet for around an hour each week, spending time together doing something they both enjoy. This could be going for a walk, having a coffee, visiting a local community space or simply sitting down for a conversation.

There doesn’t need to be a particular activity or a plan for every visit. What matters is having that regular opportunity to spend time with someone, develop a relationship and enjoy each other’s company. Over time, these meetings can become an important part of someone’s routine, giving them something to look forward to and helping them feel more connected.

We understand that taking the first step towards meeting someone new isn’t always easy, particularly for people who may have been feeling isolated for some time. That’s why we take a personal approach to befriending, making sure people feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.

Our Befriending Co-ordinator meets with everyone referred to the service to understand their circumstances, interests and what they hope to gain from befriending. This helps us find a volunteer who we believe will be a good match, with shared interests or a similar outlook.

Every new befriending match begins with a supported introduction, giving both people the opportunity to meet, have a conversation and decide whether they feel comfortable spending time together. From there, regular visits can begin, with ongoing support available whenever it’s needed.

The difference we’re making together

Since April 2022, our Befriending Service has continued to grow, supporting more people across the Harrogate district to build connections and improve their mental wellbeing.

Between April 2022 and October 2026, we’ve received 283 referrals, with 107 people accessing the service and 67 volunteers joining us as befrienders. By October 2026, we had 40 befriending pairs meeting regularly, creating opportunities for people to enjoy companionship and develop meaningful relationships.

We’re also proud that 98% of people who provided feedback rated the service as good or very good, reflecting the positive experiences people have had through befriending.

While these figures help us understand the reach of our service, we’re particularly interested in how befriending makes a difference to people’s everyday lives. We know that loneliness can affect our confidence, mood and overall wellbeing, and that having regular contact with someone we trust can help us feel more positive about ourselves and the world around us.

Feedback from people who have accessed the service shows that 60% felt more optimistic about the future and 60% felt more relaxed following their time with a befriender. A further 40% felt closer to other people, 40% felt they could think more clearly and 40% felt better able to deal with problems.

For some people, these changes might mean feeling more confident about leaving the house or taking part in activities they previously avoided. For others, it might simply mean having someone to share their thoughts with or feeling reassured that somebody is interested in how they’re doing.

We recognise that everyone’s experience of loneliness and mental health is different, and that building connections takes time. Befriending isn’t about trying to solve every difficulty someone might be facing. It’s about offering consistent, friendly support that can help people feel listened to, valued and less alone.

One of the most important things about befriending is that every relationship is different. Some people enjoy getting out and exploring their local community together, while others prefer the familiarity of meeting in the same place each week for a chat.

As people get to know each other, conversations become easier, trust develops and what may have started as a simple introduction can grow into a meaningful connection.

We regularly hear from people who use our service about the difference these relationships have made to their lives. Their experiences remind us that it’s often the everyday moments, rather than grand gestures, that can have the greatest impact.

“I wasn’t sure at first, but now I’ve found a really good friend. It’s been excellent for me.”

“Befriending gives me something that’s just for me. I look forward to our chats every week.”

“Meeting my befriender has given me that gentle push forward. It’s been the best mental health support I’ve found.”

“The service has been a lifeline. It’s an important part of my week.”

These experiences show how much it can mean to have someone who makes time for you, listens without judgement and takes a genuine interest in your life.

For people who may not have regular opportunities to socialise, knowing that someone will be there each week can provide reassurance and a sense of belonging. It can also help people gradually build the confidence to explore other opportunities, reconnect with their interests or become more involved in their community.

And while befriending is designed to support people experiencing loneliness and isolation, the relationships formed can be just as meaningful for the volunteers who give their time.

Could you make a difference to someone’s week?

Our Befriending Service wouldn’t be possible without the time, kindness and commitment of our volunteers. Every week, they help people across the Harrogate district feel more connected by offering something that can be difficult to find when you’re experiencing loneliness: regular companionship.

We’re always looking for friendly, reliable people who could spare around an hour a week to become a volunteer befriender. You don’t need previous experience or specialist qualifications, and you don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is being willing to listen, showing empathy and having a genuine interest in getting to know someone.

We provide training, guidance and ongoing support to help our volunteers feel comfortable and confident in their role. Our Befriending Co-ordinator is also available throughout the volunteering experience, offering advice and making sure both the volunteer and the person they’re supporting have a positive experience.

Many of our volunteers tell us that befriending is rewarding for them too. It’s an opportunity to meet someone new, learn from different experiences and develop a connection that might not otherwise have happened.

Volunteering can also be a positive experience for your own wellbeing, helping you feel part of your community and giving you the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference to someone else’s life.

You don’t need to make a huge commitment to have a meaningful impact. Sometimes, giving just an hour of your week can help someone feel more confident, supported and connected.

Continuing to build a more connected community

We’re pleased that funding covering 2025 to 2028 is allowing us to continue developing our Befriending Service and reach more people across the Harrogate district who could benefit from regular companionship and support.

We know that loneliness and isolation remain significant challenges for many people in our communities. While someone might live in a busy town, have people living nearby or regularly see others going about their day, that doesn’t necessarily mean they feel connected.

Feeling part of a community is about more than simply being around other people. It’s about having opportunities to build relationships, feeling comfortable reaching out and knowing there are people who care about how you’re doing.

Through our Befriending Service, we want to help create more of these opportunities, particularly for people who may find it difficult to make connections independently.

We’re also committed to working alongside local organisations, community groups and partners to help more people understand what befriending is, recognise when someone might benefit from the service and feel confident encouraging them to reach out.

As we mark Befriending Week 2026, we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helps make our service possible. To our volunteer befrienders who generously give their time, the people who put their trust in us and the local communities who continue to support our work, thank you.

Every connection made through our service is a reminder of what can happen when people come together and make time for one another.

Find out more about befriending

If you’re experiencing loneliness or isolation, or you’re finding it difficult to connect with other people, our Befriending Service may be able to help.

We understand that reaching out for support can sometimes feel like a big step, particularly if you’re unsure what to expect. Our team is here to listen, explain how the service works and help you understand whether befriending could be right for you.

You can also contact us if you’re supporting a friend, family member or someone in your community who you think might benefit from having a volunteer befriender.

To find out more, please contact our Befriending Co-ordinator on 01423 503335 or email [email protected].

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer befriender, you can find out more about the role and how to apply through the volunteering page on our website.