Talking Together is our befriending project, connecting people through weekly telephone calls that can help to reduce loneliness, build friendships, and provide support for mental wellbeing.
Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic. One of the major causes of depression is isolation, so Trust Links set up Talking Together to help people connect with one another. Talking Together gives adults who may be feeling isolated, anxious or depressed the opportunity to speak regularly to volunteers about their concerns, fears and issues.
Each week you can receive a call from your designated volunteer for a friendly chat, and share how you are feeling in a safe, supportive and confidential way.
To speak to a member of our team, or to discuss the other ways we can support your mental health, call us on 01702 213134.
“It was really nice. Having someone there to say, ‘how are you?’ has been a lifesaver at times. It’s really done wonders for me. It’s a fantastic service, I can’t praise it enough”. – Anne
We need Befriending Volunteers
Just one hour per week can make a huge difference, and we’ll support you every step of the way. Volunteers will receive full training, including the accredited Mental Health First Aid qualification, and regular support from our project co-ordinator. You must have good listening skills, which will be enhanced through training. We welcome those with a background in counselling, mental health support, those with lived experience of mental health issues, and people looking to develop their skills and experience in this area.
If you are interested in becoming a Talking Together volunteer, please read the information and job description below, and email volunteers@trustlinks.org or call 01702 213134.
Please note: Volunteers will be required to provide befriending and listening support to adults (via telephone or video messaging) in the local community of Southend, Castle Point and Rochford. Befriendees may be experiencing mental health challenges, particularly anxiety or depression and as a result of social isolation. You must also have good listening skills and be able to manage boundaries.
To see the full Befriender volunteer job description, please click HERE. Or to find out more about volunteering with Southend’s leading mental health charity, click here.
“I really enjoyed it, she’s lovely. It didn’t matter that we were different ages, we chatted about all sorts of stuff” – Tina
Mental Health Awareness Training
For businesses and individuals looking to develop their knowledge and understanding of mental health, and be able to support people experiencing mental health issues, Trust Links training can help! We have some fantastic training available enabling you to learn the right skills to support your friends, family and colleagues. Find out more here.
It helped me myself, and then hopefully I can help my own family and whoever else I speak to. Considering it was done on Zoom, I think it was done very, very well. I was impressed by it.