What we do...
Calling every day at a pre-arranged time, Befrienders build a trusting relationship which helps us to monitor the well-being of our members. By making time for people and listening effectively the Project becomes a 'friend on the phone'. This helps build resilience for coping with difficult and challenging events associated with advancing age such as the the deterioration of physical health or the loss of friends and family.
The service alerts to potential health problems at an early stage. If a member fails to answer their telephone a Befriender will attempt to locate them and verify their safety. If a member cannot be found and their safety cannot be verified the Project will alert nominated contact persons or the Emergency Services. The service operates every day, including all public holidays, in recognition that vulnerable groups are more at risk when other services stop.
Referrals are exchanged with statutory social work and health services and voluntary sector services. Members are referred to Strathclyde Police for a home security visit and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue for a home fire safety visit.
Good Morning also provide: safety package, bogus caller alert scheme and Good Afternoon Service. A monthly Good Afternoon Get Together brings members together to visit places of interest and a monthly newsletter keeps members up to date with project and community news, promotes local services and has recipes and quizzes to keep your brain active.
Annual Review 2008/09: Quantitative Indicators
| Number of Good Morning calls made | 80,000+ |
| Members receiving a good morning call | 333 |
| Members receiving a good afternoon call | 15 |
| Number of Good Night calls made | 2500+ |
| Members receiving a good night call | 46 |
| Emergency alerts to: | |
|---|---|
| Nominated contacts | 47 |
| Strathclyde Police | 2 |
| Health professionals (of whom 6 members were treated in hospital) | 8 |
| Bogus caller alerts from Strathclyde Police | 8 |
| Statutory Referrals: | |
| Strathclyde Police re home security visits | 35 |
| Strathclyde Fire & Rescue re home fire safety visits | 17 |
| Social Work Services | 11 |
| Community projects and services | 150+ |
| Number of monthly Good Morning newsletters sent out | 3500+ |
| Home befriending visits carried out | 31 |
| Members attending a monthly Good Afternoon Get Together | 36 |
| Average attendance at a Good Afternoon Get Together | 20 |