Welcome to the SupportED Befriending page!
Our Befriending Manager Leah, along with our brilliant team of volunteers, will be the ones supporting you through your befriending journey and answer any questions you may have. Please take a look at the information on this page and feel free to get in touch if anything isn’t clear.
Our Befriending Referral Form is currently closed, but aim to re-open this towards the end of 2026. We operate on a cyclical system, opening and closing the list as needed to manage the volume of referrals and ensure we can support everyone effectively.
The Befriending Journey With Supported
In this video, one of our service users, Ruth, and our trained Befriending Volunteer, Josephine, discuss what the Befriending journey is at Supported Scotland, what Ruth was looking for, the sorts of topics she and Josephine talked about and ultimately the positive changes our Befriending support service made in her journey.
Befriending is a one‑to‑one conversation-based support service for anyone aged 18+ who is affected by an eating disorder, whether you’re experiencing it yourself or supporting a loved one. Befriending offers you someone to talk things through with. Your befriender can offer encouragement and accountability if that’s something you’d find useful. It’s a space to explore what’s happening for you, develop coping mechanisms, and take positive steps.
The befriending sessions will run over a 8‑month period with a trained volunteer. Each session will last between 30 and 60 minutes. It starts with weekly sessions for the first 4 months, followed by fortnightly sessions for 4 months.
We support people across Scotland, so sessions can take place by phone, video call, or in person if you’re matched with someone nearby. Matches are based on your experiences, hobbies, interests, and the preferences you share during your initial chat.
When you submit an enquiry, our team will get in touch to arrange an initial chat. This usually lasts around 45 minutes and gives you the chance to hear more about the service, talk through your challenges and goals, and help us understand whether befriending feels beneficial for you.
If you have questions, please get in touch with the team and they’ll be happy to help: befriending@supportedscotland.org
Befriending FAQs
Do I need a diagnosis?
A diagnosis isn’t required to access support. Befriending is available to anyone affected by disordered eating, either personally or while supporting a loved one who may benefit from additional support.
What kind of background do the befrienders have?
We have volunteer befrienders from a wide range of backgrounds. Some have lived experience of eating disorders or mental health difficulties, some work in mental health, and others are simply caring, friendly individuals who want to help. In your initial chat, we’ll talk through your preferences and do our best to match you with someone who reflects those.
What if I don't get on with my befriender?
It’s normal for some matches not to click, and there’s no pressure if that happens. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, just speak with the befriending manager and we can explore another match.
What does it mean if, after our initial chat, you let me know that befriending might not be beneficial for me?
It simply means we feel that a different kind of support could meet your needs more safely or effectively at this moment in time. We’ll always explain our reasoning, answer any questions, and help you explore other options that may be a better fit
Befriending Referral Form
The befriending waiting list is currently closed.