Befriending Scheme
PODS Befriending Scheme is a network of trained parent carer volunteers who offer emotional support to other parent carers of children or young people with a disability or additional need, at the time of diagnosis or during challenging times related to their child’s disability.
Every Befriender has a child or young person with a disability or additional need themselves. They have the relevant lived experience and know what it is like to cope with a new diagnosis and the challenges that come with it in the future. The Befriending Scheme is a free, confidential service. We support parent carers of children with any type of disability or special need.
PODS link parent carers with Befrienders who live locally, we offer the support via telephone, however, this can also be done in person, and at our monthly family group. The parent carer and Befriender decide how often they will have contact and over what period. Sometimes one conversation can be enough, other times a Befriender may support parent carers over several months. Every Befriender receives training and on-going support to make sure they are comfortable and confident in their important role.
Discovering that your child has a special need or disability can be a devastating experience, talking to another parent carer who understands, can make all the difference. It is easy to feel isolated, shocked, or even guilty. That is where PODS Befrienders can help and support.