Manchester Befriending Programme
Building connections across Manchester
The Manchester Befriending Programme is a city-wide initiative commissioned by Manchester City Council and delivered by Gaddum to strengthen befriending services across Manchester. The programme has been developed to support organisations that reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing, and help people build meaningful connections within their communities.
Through collaboration with befriending providers, volunteers, people with lived experience and carers, the programme aims to strengthen the existing befriending network, improve awareness of services, support learning and collaboration, and invest in activities that have a positive impact on Manchester residents.
The programme is supported by Manchester City Council is funding the programme through a two-year commitment of £30,000 per year. Gaddum will be administering these funds to support frontline befriending services and wider system development across the city.
What is Befriending?
Following consultation with organisations, volunteers, carers and people with lived experience, a shared Manchester definition of befriending has been developed (see below). This definition reflects the diverse ways befriending is delivered across Manchester whilst recognising the importance of relationships, community connection and wellbeing.
What is the programme trying to achieve?
By supporting organisations to deliver befriending services across the city, the Manchester Befriending Programme aims to:
- Reduce social isolation and loneliness.
- Improve wellbeing and confidence.
- Strengthen community connections.
- Support volunteers and people with lived experience.
- Improve awareness and understanding of befriending.
- Encourage collaboration across organisations and system partners.
- Strengthen the long-term sustainability of befriending services across Manchester.
Current programme activity
Consultation and Co-Design
During the first phase of the programme, extensive consultation and engagement activity was undertaken to ensure that future funding priorities were shaped by the organisations and individuals who deliver and experience befriending services.
The programme engaged with 36 identified stakeholders across Manchester and completed a formal consultation process involving 14 VCSE organisations and 55 participants, including staff, volunteers, carers and people with lived experience. Engagement took place through face-to-face discussions, online meetings, telephone interviews and consultation surveys.
The consultation focused on three key areas:
- Developing a shared definition of befriending.
- Identifying priorities for future funding.
- Designing a reporting framework that is proportionate and meaningful.
Stakeholders consistently highlighted the importance of relationships, volunteer support, social activities, accessibility and coordination as essential components of effective befriending. They also emphasised the need for reporting requirements that are flexible, proportionate and aligned with existing reporting already undertaken by organisations.
Befriending Grants – Coming Soon
Supporting Befriending Across Manchester
The consultation findings have directly informed the development of a new grant programme that will shortly be available to Manchester-based befriending organisations. The grant programme has been designed to reflect the diversity of befriending services across Manchester and to ensure that funding supports both direct delivery and wider system development.
Funding will be available through two complementary strands:
Core Service Delivery Fund
Designed to strengthen frontline befriending delivery, including:
- Volunteer recruitment, onboarding and training.
- Coordination and matching activities.
- Social and wellbeing activities.
- Improving access and participation, including transport and accessibility support.
System Initiative Fund
Designed to strengthen the wider befriending ecosystem through:
- Training and workforce development.
- Networking and collaboration activities.
- Promotion of befriending services.
- Improving referrals and pathways between organisations and services.
Get involved
We are continuing to build relationships with organisations, volunteers, people with lived experience and system partners across Manchester.
If you would like to:
- Learn more about the programme
- Join the befriending network
- Find out about funding opportunities
- Participate in future events and collaboration opportunities
Please contact Befriending Programme Coordinator, Daniel Lammin, daniel.lammin@gaddum.org.uk
