Aim of the network

To assist member Centres to provide appropriate emotional support services for people who are suicidal and/or in distress by the sharing of information and resources in order to improve their ability:

  •  to make their service readily available to all people requesting it
  •  to develop effective service policies and practices
  •  to encourage appropriate research

 

Vision, Mission, Value Statement

Befrienders Worldwide’s vision is to contribute to a society where suicide is understood both locally and globally, leading to fewer deaths by suicide.  Our mission is to be a principal resource in emotional support delivered primarily by volunteers, and to share research which can lead to innovative service practices.  We value giving a person the opportunity to explore feelings which can cause distress, the importance of being listened to, in confidence, anonymously, without prejudice and we value that a person has the fundamental decision about their own life.

We have an impact on suicide and suicidal behaviour through a network of 169 independent emotional support centres in 29 countries. These centres provide an open space for those in distress to talk and be heard. This service is provided via telephone helplines, SMS messaging, face to face, outreach, partnerships and the internet.




Key common principles of Member Centres

  •  Centres provide emotional support to people who are suicidal, or in general distress
  •  Confidentiality is respected
  •  Centres are non-political and non-sectarian, and volunteers do not seek to impose their own convictions on anyone
  •  Where appropriate, callers may be invited to consider seeking professional help in addition to the emotional support offered by the Centre
  •  Centres are mainly resourced by volunteers
  •  Volunteers are selected, trained, mentored and supported by other experienced volunteers and any necessary relevant professional experts
  •  Centres are mutually supportive and committed to sharing information with other member Centres, and participating in processes and activities of the network





Become a member today - join our network