Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is eligible for our service?

    Anyone over the age of 18, living in Dumfries & Galloway and who feels isolated or is housebound for whatever reason and who does not have regular contact with anyone else (except care workers).

  • Which areas do you cover?

    A Listening Ear works throughout the whole of Dumfries & Galloway.

  • Are your services free?

    Yes. We raise money from a range of sources including charitable funders in order to make our services free of charge to our clients.

  • How does your service work?

    We receive referrals including from service users thmselves and arrange for a befriending volunteer to be assigned to them for weekly contact. This is currently by telephone, but we are planning to introduce visits to the client’s home and contact via apps such as Zoom.

  • Can I refer others to you?

    Yes. Anyone can make referrals for someone they are concerned about such as a neighbour.

  • Can I refer myself to you?

    Yes. If you are isolated and have no regular contact with anyone, absolutely. We would be delighted to hear from you! You must be aged 18 or over to qualify for befriending support.

  • Can I volunteer as a befriender?

    Yes, provided you are over 18 and have no criminal convictions. You will need to go through a Disclosure Scotland check and be interviewed by our co-ordinator, but if accepted, you will be offered training and support for the role.

  • What qualifications do I need to be a befriender?

    No formal qualifications, just empathy and an ability to communicate and hold a conversation.

  • Do you have any paid positions at A Listening Ear?

    Occasionally paid positions for support staff may become available. Contact us if you would like to be informed of any vacancies or check for any vacancy announcements on our website.

Befriending Services Dumfries & Galloway A Listening Ear
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