Friendship Facilitation Service

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support

Regions

MidCentral

Age Groups

Adult / Pakeke

Referral Types

Self referral, GP

Referral Process

Self-referrals as a volunteer by contacting the Friendship Facilitation Co-ordinator by email: friendship@mashtrust.org.nz or phone: 027 613 3977 or 06 355 7200 

Description

The Friendship Facilitation service was created through the Ministry of Health after the closure of the Kimberley Centre in October 2006. The Friendship Facilitation service is for ex residents of the Kimberley Centre who are also supported by other community service providers and covers the Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua and Manawatu regions.

The aim of volunteering within the Friendship Service is to enhance social and leisure opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and to promote inclusion into their community. This is done by matching a volunteer with a person who has intellectual disabilities by finding out similar interests and hobbies. People from all walks of life are encouraged to become volunteers as everyone has skills and gifts which they can pass onto others.

In return MASH offers training for people committed to the relationship. There are no special qualifications or experience needed to befriend another person. Some of the characteristics we are looking for are to be:

• Caring
• Patient
• Supportive
• Empathic
• Empowering
• Sociable
• Committed
• Reliable
• Team player

Some of the activities you can do while volunteering are:

• Go to a cafe and enjoy socialising over a cup of coffee
• Enjoy a quiet walk along the beach, park or bush walking
• Get involved in gardening, pot planting, growing herbs or vegetables
• Visit the Living Plus day services
• Get involved in arts and crafts
• Participate in special occasions such as birthdays, movies or going to a rugby game.

Visit the MASH Trust website for more information.