Two's Company
We have partnered with Linking Lives UK to increase the number of telephone befriending services available to those hardest hit by isolating lockdown measures.
At the start of the pandemic, Linking Lives UK developed a new model, Two's Company, a telephone befriending service based on the framework used for their home visiting projects. Two’s Company is designed to be a tool which churches can use to reach those people in their communities hardest hit by lockdown measures. The model is quick, easy and safe to set up and is free of charge. Calls are made to Link Friends on a weekly basis for around 30 minutes and this is often a real lifeline to those most marginalised and unable to engage with friends or family.
We've partnered with Linking Lives UK to expand this valuable and much-needed model around the country, so that more people who are experiencing isolation can be reached by a friendly voice. Together Network Members in various parts of the country have spread the word through open online webinars, delivered training, and helped churches set up new Two's Company projects.
Here's what's happened in Birmingham
Linking Lives UK and Thrive Together Birmingham, our Together Network Member in Birmingham worked together on a joint funding bid in November 2020 which focused on developing 8 Two’s Company telephone befriending projects across Birmingham. The application was made to a Covid fund through the National Lottery Community Fund. A short-term grant ending was received in December and we have been working together on the project since then.
The focus has been on running regular webinars which are an opportunity for church representatives to find out more about issues relating to loneliness and social isolation and four of these have been held so far. There is also space to discuss ways in which churches can engage with these issues on a local level, and the model of Two’s Company is also outlined.
Thrive Together Birmingham has been able to support churches in responding to the pandemic by using the Two’s Company model. At the same time, the local knowledge and contacts within Thrive Together Birmingham have been a real benefit to Linking Lives in developing new partnerships.