Befriended was set up in 2017 with the mission of ending loneliness and isolation among older people living in Mid Sussex.

It has been a joy to develop our relationship with Befriended over the last year. We have welcomed guests to watch shows, come for tea and to read with the younger children. This has been hugely enriching for all concerned.

A team of us are now going to run the Brighton Half marathon to help raise funds for this wonderful charity and particularly to help them set up their first building, 'The Hub' in Ditchling. This is going to be an enormous challenge for some of us and the training in wet and windy January has not been fun! Mr Goode has decided to add to the challenge by running in fancy dress, chosen by the children! Do please support us to make this all worthwhile!

Mr Richards and Miss Jones are part of the team but are running for Dementia and Alzheimers charities as these are important to them for family reasons. The charities are very closely aligned to Befriended as Befriended support many people with these illnesses. The fundraising pages are linked here.

The charity also offers bereavement support to people of all ages through its award winning Compassionate Conversations course and Bereavement Cafes.

What did Befriended do in 2024?

Hosted over 1750 older people for afternoon tea

Held over 45 exercise classes

Supported over 100 people through bereavement courses

Over 2000 people enjoy singing through Community Choirs

Held over 60 chaplaincy services for over 1000 people in care homes

Took over 500 older people on theatre trips and outings

Launched a new bereavement cafe

Had over 80 people to our Befriended Christmas Lunch

Hosted 60 people at our Community Christmas lunch on Christmas Day

Our newsletter reached 1000s of people through doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, churches and individuals

We supported many carers and people living with dementia through our activities

Launched a new community Choir in Hurstpierpoint

Launched a new afternoon tea party in Hurstpierpoint in partnership with Holy Trinity Church

Launched a new bereavement course – Compassionate Conversations

Won a place on the two year Incubator programme with Cinnamon network for Compassionate Conversations

In 2023 CEO and Founder Gail Millar was one of only 500 people in the UK to be presented with a Coronation Champion Award to recognise her contribution to the community.

For more details, please click on this link https://befriended.org/