About Aberdeen Befriending Network
Aberdeen Befriending Network is an alliance of organisations working together to reduce loneliness and isolation, strengthen mental wellbeing, and build more connected communities across Aberdeen.
We do not replace the work of local befriending services. We exist to connect, support and strengthen them — helping organisations work together so that more adults can access safe, consistent and meaningful relationship-based support.
Why the Network was formed
Loneliness and social isolation are not small issues. Across Aberdeen, many adults are becoming increasingly disconnected from community life because of poor mental health, bereavement, caring responsibilities, disability, reduced mobility, financial hardship or wider life pressures.
At the same time, befriending services are facing growing demand. Referrals are becoming more complex, volunteer capacity is under pressure, and waiting lists are increasing. Smaller organisations often do brilliant work but may not have the time, resources or infrastructure to recruit, train and support volunteers alone.
Aberdeen Befriending Network was formed because no single organisation can tackle loneliness on its own. By bringing befriending organisations together, we can share learning, reduce duplication, strengthen volunteer capacity, and speak with a stronger collective voice for the people of Aberdeen.
Rising loneliness
More adults are experiencing isolation and disconnection, often alongside mental health challenges, poverty, bereavement or long-term conditions.
Stretched services
Befriending organisations are seeing increased demand, more complex referrals and pressure on volunteer capacity.
A joined-up response
The Network helps organisations collaborate, share resources and strengthen befriending across the city.
We believe befriending is more than a service. It is a meaningful human connection that can improve confidence, wellbeing and quality of life.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is simple: to help ensure people in Aberdeen do not face loneliness alone.
We do this by supporting the organisations that provide befriending and related community support. The Network creates space for peer support, shared learning, joint problem-solving and partnership working, so that befriending services are better connected, better resourced and better able to respond to local need.
What the Network does
Aberdeen Befriending Network strengthens the befriending landscape across Aberdeen by supporting collaboration between organisations, volunteers, partners and decision-makers.
Bring organisations together
We create regular opportunities for befriending organisations to connect, share updates, discuss challenges and identify where working together can add value.
Build shared learning
We support training, knowledge exchange and good practice so that staff and volunteers feel more confident and equipped in their roles.
Strengthen volunteer capacity
We support joined-up volunteer recruitment and help member organisations increase their capacity to respond to demand.
Raise awareness
We promote the value of befriending, including through Befriending Week and wider public awareness activity.
Represent a collective voice
We advocate for befriending within local health, social care and community planning conversations.
Reduce duplication
We help organisations share resources, collaborate more effectively and strengthen the wider system of support.
Who the Network supports
Aberdeen Befriending Network supports organisations and charities that work with adults aged 18 and over who are most at risk of loneliness, isolation and declining mental wellbeing.
Through our member organisations, the Network supports work with people affected by poor mental health, disability, bereavement, caring responsibilities, socio-economic disadvantage, reduced mobility and other circumstances that can make connection harder to maintain.
Our role is not usually to provide direct befriending support ourselves. Instead, we help strengthen the organisations that do — so more people can be supported earlier, more safely and more consistently.
How we work together
Members identify local need
Our member organisations bring frontline knowledge of loneliness, isolation and community need across Aberdeen.
The Network creates space for collaboration
Through meetings, communication, training and shared activity, organisations can learn from one another and work together more effectively.
Shared priorities shape action
The Network focuses on areas where joint working can make the greatest difference, including volunteer recruitment, training, awareness and strategic influence.
Aberdeen benefits from stronger support
By strengthening organisations, we help improve access to befriending and relationship-based support across the city.
Our member organisations
Aberdeen Befriending Network is made up of organisations across the city that provide befriending, social connection and related community support.
Each organisation has its own focus, referral routes and eligibility criteria. Our directory helps people, professionals and partners find out what support is available and where to go next.