The TeleFriends Program has been a vital new service offering isolated clients the opportunity to create new connections. In response to the coronavirus pandemic we have had to place a pause on our regular social events and create new ways to stay engaged.

The TeleFriends program partners clients with a dedicated Be TeleFriend who will phone the client weekly to check in with and have a chat. This is a free wellbeing service available to Be clients and designed to combat social isolation.

We recently caught up with one of the program volunteers Lyn Gavin who shared her experience with connecting with clients, creating new friendships and her role in supporting Be clients during this difficult time.

Lyn has been volunteering with Be for one year and jumped at the chance to volunteer for the TeleFriends program earlier this year. “I’ve connected with three Be clients who are all chatty and friendly. We chat weekly and all three of my TeleFriends have expressed how difficult it has been missing out on social events during the pandemic,” said Lyn.

“She tells me she feels very cared for and a part of the community through the program.”

Many clients are feeling isolated and lonely and TeleFriends has been able to offer clients a new social connection and even new friendships. Lyn shared that one of her clients does not have family close by and that TeleFriends has offered her a new level of support. “She really appreciates the time I spend each week having a chat and that I continue to check in with her. She tells me she feels very cared for and a part of the community through the program,” shared Lyn.

Lyn has also been using Facetime and Skype to communicate with her mother who is living in a nursing home saying, “I can really appreciate firsthand the value of maintaining connection at this time,” said Lyn.

Lyn has also reaped benefits from participating in the TeleFriends Program sharing that she enjoys the responsibility of checking in with clients who rely on type of connection at this time. “I’ve also formed a really close friendship with one of my TeleFriends clients and we are looking forward to meeting face-to-face in the future,” added Lyn.

Our greatest priority at this time is the safety and well-being of all Be clients, staff and volunteers. We are committed minimising risk and have taken appropriate precautions to continue to deliver essential services, updates and care. The Be team is here for you, we are all in this together.

Feeling like you could benefit from some additional support through our TeleFriends Program? Contact our team on 1300 761 011 or your local Be office. Alternatively, are you interested in volunteering with our TeleFriends Program? Click here to register your interest.