We are very sorry but due to an increase in demand for our Befriending services, we are unable to take on any new clients for our face-to-face Befriending service at the moment. We are also not able to take on any new clients for our general UK wide Telefriending service.

We are still able to take on new clients for our West Yorkshire Telefriending Service Partnership with Out Together.

We are aware this will be disappointing for many but we will update this page when we are able to accept more clients. You may wish to contact the LGBT+ Switchboard or your local Age UK to see what other support might be available for you in the mean time.

Opening Doors runs a Befriending Service for LGBTQ+ people aged 50 and over who are feeling isolated and would like a friendly chat.

Why Befriending?

Life can be lonely sometimes – everybody has experienced feeling alone at some point in their lives. But feelings of isolation can be particularly challenging as we get older, especially those who are unable to get out and about like they used to. Having someone to spend time with and talk to can make all the difference.

The Befriending Service aims to reduce the stress of loneliness and isolation, increase peoples' confidence, and enable members to maintain their independence. It is also a great way to spend time with someone else who identifies as LGBTQ+.

Our Befriending Service offers two options: if you live in London you can receive home social visits or a phone call, outside of  London the service is only available by phone - we call this Telefriending.

"I’ve been housebound for 3 years. I’ve not had any companionship at all. Max my befriender came into my life [and] changed my life for the better... very much for the better" - David, 86

What is Befriending?

Befriending matches you with a volunteer Befriender for regular social contact, with visits or calls every week or fortnight. Your Befriender and you might:

• go along to social groups and community activities
• go to exhibitions or events
• have a cup of tea and a chat in your home
• friendly telephone call each week on a scheduled day and time

Who is Befriending for?

Face-to-face Befriending:

• for those who are isolated or housebound
• live in a London Borough
• have a limited social network and would like to re/connect with the LGBTQ+ community
• or live in a London care home and would like an LGBTQ+ friendly visitor

Telefriending:

• currently only available to people being referred for the Out Together Telefriending Partnership in West Yorkshire due to high demand
• would benefit from a positive phone call each week with a lovely volunteer from the LGBTQ+ community
• and must have their own landline or mobile phone

The Befriending service will prioritise those who are isolated due to frailty or physical impairments and have no regular meaningful social connections. 

We are particularly interested in supporting those who are from underrepresented groups.

West Yorkshire Telefriending

As part of our Telefriending Service we have a partnership with Out Together (Friends of Dorothy) to support those in West Yorkshire. The service works the same but those from West Yorkshire will have a volunteer from the area and get to hear more about what Out Together are up to in their area. We still have availability for clients in West Yorkshire, so please get in touch if you are interested. Read more about it here!

What won't a Befriender do?

While having a Befriender can be wonderful and help improve your life both emotionally and physically, it is important to note all Befrienders are volunteers. This means they are not like a social worker or key worker.

Befrienders also won’t be able to help you clean the house or do jobs for you, but they will provide you with company. It is also important to note that befriending is not a crisis service, counselling or advice service.

How do get a befriender for myself?

If you want to have a befriender please fill in our self-referral form, or if you want to refer someone you think could benefit from being befriended, please fill in our external referral form.

If you have any questions email us or call on 020 7183 6260 and select the option for the Befriending Service.

Sometimes people have support needs that are not suitable for this scheme, perhaps because they are too complex, or the needs are not linked to being lonely and isolated. if you are unsure, contact the befriending team to discuss your needs.

Due to an increase in demand for our Befriending services, we are unable to take on any new clients for our face-to-face Befriending service at the moment. We are also not able to take on any new clients for our general UK wide Telefriending service. We are still able to take on new clients for our West Yorkshire Telefriending Service Partnership. We are aware this will be disappointing for many but we will update this page when we are able to accept more clients. You may wish to contact the LGBT+ Switchboard or your local Age UK to see what other support might be available for you in the mean time.

Self-Referral Form  External Referral Form

Interested in becoming a Volunteer Befriender?

Unfortunately we are not taking on any new befriending or telefriending volunteers at the moment. Please check back another time to see if we have begun recruitment.

Check out our Volunteering page or get in touch with the Befriending Team. 

“I initially got involved to give something back to the older LGBT+ community, as I am very much aware that without their struggle I would not have the free life I live today as an out gay man. I never realised how much I myself would get from befriending, it has been a wonderful experience" – Volunteer Befriender

"I feel very supported and appreciated - it is one of the most rewarding volunteering roles I have ever had, and the support and communication from OD is a key part of this." - Volunteer Telefriender