Befriending
Discover how a simple friendship through LINKnet, with English language support built in, can change someone's outlook, and how it might change yours too.
What is Befriending?
At its heart, befriending is about giving your time and company to someone who could use both, while also helping them build confidence speaking English along the way. It's built on regular contact, genuine interest, and consistency over time.
Through LINKnet, this might mean a weekly phone call, meeting for coffee, going for a walk together, or bonding over a shared interest like gardening, football or music. It's less about fixing a problem and more about showing up, week after week, so someone knows they're not facing things on their own, and that their English is improving through everyday conversation rather than formal lessons.
Our befrienders bring patience, warmth and a genuine willingness to listen. Many of our befriendees come from minority ethnic backgrounds, and helping build English language confidence in relaxed, everyday conversation is a core part of what our befrienders offer alongside the friendship itself.
The befriending program is part of the No more Isolation, No more Tears (NINT) project and has three components: befriending, events and English language.
Become a Befriender
Benefits
You don't need any qualifications to become a befriender, just a bit of spare time, a genuine interest in people, and a willingness to chat things through at a pace that works for the other person. Whatever your background, there's likely someone who'd value your company.
The main thing we ask for is reliability: someone who'll turn up consistently, stick with the relationship, and be patient as someone builds their confidence speaking English.
Volunteering as a befriender is rewarding in itself, but the ripple effect goes beyond a single friendship. Helping someone feel more confident in English, and more connected to people around them, builds stronger, more resilient communities overall.
What you'll get out of it:
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A genuine new friendship
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Better listening and communication skills, including supporting someone else's English development
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A window into different lives, cultures and experiences
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A stronger sense of your own local community
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New connections and a wider network
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A chance to develop your communication and active listening
To apply, send us an email at admin@linknetmentoring.com
or phone: 0131 261 4463
Become a Befriendee
A note on English language support
Benefits
If you're feeling isolated or would value having someone regularly in your corner while building your confidence in speaking English, our befriending service is available to you.
There's no cost to you at any point.
English language support is a core part of this programme, offered informally through everyday conversation with your befriender rather than as structured lessons. Because of this, and because we're not always able to guarantee a match with a befriender who speaks your first language, we ask that anyone referred to the programme has a basic working understanding of English. We're unable to accept referrals for absolute beginners at this time. If you or the person you're referring is at that early stage, please get in touch, and we can point you toward more suitable support in the meantime.
Here's what you can expect:
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A consistent, friendly presence in your week
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Someone to talk to, without judgment
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Regular, informal support to build your confidence speaking English
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Less isolation, more connection
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A wider circle of contacts
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More confidence in social and everyday situations
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Encouragement to pick up old interests or try new ones
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A boost to your overall confidence and wellbeing
Click here to get in touch about becoming a befriendee.
How Does it Work?
We take care to match people thoughtfully, based on interests, personality, language, location and what fits both people's availability, so conversations flow naturally and English support happens as part of a genuine friendship.
Pairs typically meet for 1-2 hours a week, in person or online, for at least 6 months. LINKnet staff stays involved throughout to support both sides.
Scroll down to read what befriending and the English confidence it's helped build have meant to some of our own befrienders and befriendees.