More about Flexicare Befriending Service
The Flexicare Service celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2008, and it remains an innovative and unique service which works within the principles of recovery to successfully support clients. If recovery is about helping clients to discover their own goals and their potential despite the difficulties caused by their mental illness, then befrienders or flexicarers are well placed to work with clients to help them do this. In particular they help identify the steps necessary to achieve these goals and support clients throughout the process of working towards them.
Community integration is a key aspect of meaningful recovery. Flexicarers work with clients on a one-to-one basis in their own homes and in the community, supporting clients to use the same resources and take the same opportunities as everyone else. It is perhaps because of this focus on supporting people to reconnect with “normal” communities, and to find meaningful occupation, leisure or other activity, which has the greatest impact on the client’s perception of their well-being.
This support is provided by dedicated flexicarers who are carefully matched with individual clients, taking into account individual interests and cultural needs, and who together embark on a journey toward recovery and a better quality of life.
What is a flexicarer and what can they offer me?
A flexicarer is a befriender or companion, someone you can talk to, who will listen sympathetically and in a nonjudgmental manner and provide a constructive response. Flexicarers are not trained professionals like a doctor or psychologist, but they do have some knowledge of mental illnesses and its effects and do undertake an induction training and ongoing supervision.
A flexicarer is someone who can offer support with shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry or any other jobs around the home that you could benefit from having some extra support with. He or she is someone who will go out with you to the cinema, theatre, for meals, walks in the park or for whatever else your similar interests may be. Flexicarers and clients currently play music together, paint and sculpt, decorate rooms and tend to gardens.
A flexicarer is someone who will be there to help you with for example, understanding official correspondence, explaining and paying bills and liaising with other organisations such as home help services and outpatients via an organiser in the Flexicare team.
Becoming a Flexicarer
Flexicarers (also known as befrienders) are recruited from the local community, in particular universities and colleges. Some flexicarers may be studying psychology, others have an interest in mental health or want to give something back to the community. Flexicarers are paid for the work they do and attend induction training and supervision sessions.
We have an ongoing recruitment campaign and encourage those who may be interested in working for us to find out more about working for Westminster Mind.
Organisers carefully match clients with Flexicarers who will have similar backgrounds and interests. There is also an African-Caribbean scheme which works in particular with clients and flexicarers who are of African-Caribbean and African descent. This particular client group had needs that historically have not being well met by existing services. The continuing expansion of this service attests to its success in meeting the needs of these particular service users.
For more information and to download an application form and further information please click here.
