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Home > Our services > Children > FriendBee SEND Befriending

Does your young person need support socially?

FriendBee is a SEND Befriending Service that matches young people with a paid Befriender to help them access social and leisure activities. We currently support young people up to the age of 25 that have a Special Education Need or Disability (SEND) that impacts their social life, who also live in the London Boroughs of Richmond or Kingston.

Our Befrienders are recruited, trained, vetted and employed by Ruils to make finding the right support easier for families. Our service is designed to make long-term and sustainable matches between families and Befrienders. While we help coordinate matches and manage the employment of Befrienders, parents work directly with Befrienders to establish a schedule for sessions.

Image of a young man with Downs Syndrome sitting next to another man who is supporting him as a Befriender.

We require that our Befrienders:

  • Are over 18 years old
  • Live, work or study in Richmond or Kingston Boroughs
  • Have experience working with children/ young people
  • Have the right to work in the UK
  • Commit to at least 1 year

The hourly rate for Befrienders is the London Living Wage and this cost is covered by the family.

Image of two young women smiling at the camera. Behind them are a field of ferns and other plants.

“When Leo and I are together we laugh a lot. They really listen to what I have to say and don’t speak for me. I have lovely conversations with Leo and they always make sure they give me choice in what I want to do. I like Leo 10 out of 10!”

Avni, FriendBee client


Referral Form

We ask that the parent or guardian of the young person who would use FriendBee complete the registration form. If you are a social worker or other support, please encourage the parent/guardian to register.

The FriendBee service has a separate website where registered families and Ruils Befrienders can see profiles and connect. To learn more about how it works and register for the service, check out  www.friendbee.co.uk 

Get in touch

Image of a white woman with long wavy brown and blonde hair. She has brown eyes and is wearing two toned black and clear glasses and a mustard sweater with a white collar.

Rachelle Taylor

FriendBee Coordinator

FriendBee is funded by:

  • Pink and black National Lottery Community Fund logo