Over 25 delegates attended a regional event held in Truro showcasing best practice within the field of ‘befriending’. The event, held on 16th January 2009, was delivered by the national Mentoring & Befriending Foundation with support from Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC).

It was attended by people that manage existing befriending schemes, those looking to set one up in the future and also community workers that provide voluntary and community groups such as befriending schemes with a range of support services.

Mel Merrill, South West Co-ordinator for the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation, was the main presenter and delivered information on a range of topics including:

• National and regional perspectives on befriending
• Spotlight on managing and operating an effective befriending programme
• Safe working practices and lone working
• Measuring the impact of your befriending programme

In addition presentations were also given by:

Dave Hocking from CRCC who outlined the capacity building support available for the voluntary and community sector in Cornwall which included assistance with the formation of the Cornwall Befriending Forum;

Jane Armstrong & Sandra Doddington (Face 2 Face) who highlighted the work of the befriending support being offered to parents of disabled children within Cornwall; and Kate Milanes (Link Up Befriending Scheme) who gave delegates an alternative perspective by providing details of the work being undertaken by this Bristol based mental health charity.

From the outset of the day Mel Merrill praised the fantastic work being delivered within Cornwall and how the county was leading the way with some of its partnership working – through initiatives such as the Cornwall Befriending Forum, the only one of its kind anywhere in the south west.

Dave Hocking, who helped secure the hosting of the event in Cornwall stated, “I am extremely pleased that a very persuasive argument for hosting the event in the Cornwall was able to be made, because very often regional events require people from Cornwall to travel out of the county at great expense both in terms of time and money. The number of delegates that attended, along with the quality of the speakers and the excellent networking that took place fully justified the decision”.