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A series of regional befriending events hosted by MBF took place between November 2008 and May 2009 bringing together over 220 befriending practitioners and stakeholders.  The aims of the events were:

- To bring together befriending practitioners to network, share ideas and experiences
- To provide MBF with the opportunity to collect elements of good practice
- To identify key players who could help support the development of an MBF Strategic Befriending Report

The events were a huge success with much positive feedback including:

- "The opportunity to network was invaluable"
- "It was great to have an event specifically focused on befriending and great to meet others in the field"
- "I left with a head buzzing with ideas"

Through facilitated discussions practitioners had the opportunity to debate the definition of befriending by the Home Office.  Whilst delegates could understand the need for a generic definition of befriending, practitioners felt that the Home Office definition was too rigid and did not encompass the diversity or flexibility within the befriending field.

MBF intends to discuss this within the MBF Strategic Review of befriending.  The aim of this report once completed will be to showcase good practice and promote innovative action currently taking place within the befriending sector to the Cabinet office and other government departments, Local Authority commissioners and other key stakeholders and commissioning bodies.

The events also provided practitioners with the opportunity to share their ideas of key operational and management processes including recruitment, selection and screening of volunteers, training, matching, support and supervision and retention of volunteers.

The event report details the top five good practice methods that came out of discussions, as well as areas for further support which MBF are providing.

Read the full befriending report