Research shows early intervention by befriending schemes improves the health and well-being of vulnerable groups

Befriending schemes are an effective way of improving the health and well-being of vulnerable and disadvantaged people according to a new report by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation (MBF).

Befriending Works reveals that the early use of befriending schemes builds resilience for people with a wide range of health and social care needs and can reduce future dependency on more costly health and social care services.

The report calls on the Government to advocate befriending as an effective solution to help support vulnerable people. It makes a sound argument for greater investment in local providers to commissioners of health and social care services.

The report demonstrates how befriending projects are well-placed to respond to the opportunities which are currently developing as a result of giving people greater choice over the care they receive and the encouragement to increase the number and types of care providers as set out in the Coalition Government’s vision for a Big Society.