Family Befriending Scheme

Markfield runs a Family Befriending scheme where trained befriending volunteers are matched with families to offer extra support.

Help from a volunteer can include:

• Playing with children at home

• Helping families to go out in their local community

• Supporting siblings of disabled children

• Spending time with parents

Volunteers are DBS checked, attend free training and receive ongoing support and supervision.

To find out if you would like a volunteer to support your family, or to find out about becoming a volunteer,

please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Riccarda Courtney

Telephone 07542 590698

Email: volunteer@markfield.org.uk

‘Families with disabled children in Haringey report particularly high levels of unmet needs, isolation and stress’
(Haringey Council Joint Strategic Needs Assessment)

A goal of our befriending scheme is to help reduce isolation and help families access local resources. Funded by Big Lottery Reaching Communities, our volunteers have helped families go to lots of community places such as their local: swimming pool, park, ice skating rink, soft play facility, library, café, shopping centre and cinema. Our befriending scheme has also included trips out to central London and beyond including: London tourist attractions, Hackney Empire theatre, Paradise Park, Broadstairs seaside and a River Lea canal boat trip. Families tell us they really appreciate having support to do new and exciting things.