Why friends are important

People with learning disabilities (previously called mental handicap) often lack the opportunities most of us have to make new friends.  If their work and leisure lives are restricted then it follows that their chances to meet people are restricted.  For example, not being able to express yourself easily, or simply how 'normal' people respond to you can limit chances for making new friends.  Creating opportunities for friendship, fun, sharing, challenges and personal development is why we exist.

We are constantly looking for new befrienders.

Is this you?

Could you be a volunteer befriender?

Would you share some of your time with someone with a learning disability?

If you have an hour or so a week, or a few hours a month to spare, perhaps you could join someone for a cup of coffee, go to the cinema, do some shopping, go for a walk or just have a chat.  In short spend time enjoying activities that you might already do with your friends.

Which service would suit you?

Currently, we offer three distinct services for adults with learning disabilities:

• One to one links - a person with learning disabilities is carefully matched with a volunteer befriender.  The linked pair pursue social and leisure interests together, depending upon what they both like to do.
• APT (A Place to Talk) Centres - we now have eight Centres held one morning/day a week where people can come for a chat and to meet people.  There are various activities on offer including art workshops, bingo, computer training and many different games.  We also run an APT Centre on a Saturday morning in Ipswich.  Check the APT Centre page to find out more about this.
• Befrienders Club - this is an additional service provided in Bury St. Edmunds one evening a week.  The Club provides a meeting place for people registered with SBS who would like a befriender.  Linked pairs can also attend.
• BC2 - Our brand new evening club held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from May 2010 - 7.00pm until 9.00pm.  Activities will vary, as sessions will alternate between the Community Centre in Haverhill and outside activities elsewhere. Contact Marilyn Bennett on 07854 845027 for details.
• Otley Lunch Club - This is held between noon and 1pm at Otley College in Ipswich every 3rd Thursday of each month.  For details please contact Sara Hinton on 07906 758037
• YP@Apt - This is a session aimed at our younger and/or more active members, held on Friday mornings alongside our usual Apt Group at the Community Centre in Haverhill between 10am and 12.30pm. For details contact Marilyn Bennett on 07854 845027.

The benefits for volunteers.....

• Full support to work in whichever service they choose
• Making new friends
• Learning new skills - we offer a range of training courses
• Feeling valued
• Help with out of pocket expenses
• Choosing how much time to commit
• Being part of a friendly team

Interested?