The Lewisham Befriending Network is currently open to staff of all projects that deliver Befriending in Lewisham. Currently the stated purpose of the network is 'for organisations providing befriending services in the borough of Lewisham to work together to share ideas, resources and opportunities'.

We define Befriending as 'an interaction set up and monitored by an organisation, which offers a reliable relationship to someone experiencing isolation and/or loneliness. The aim of this relationship is to open up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self-confidence'

Community Connections currently runs a collaborative drop-in on Thursdays 10:30 - 12:30 at the Irish Centre in Catford. We do this alongside partners from Lewisham Local, Change Grow Live, Table Talks, Together for Mental Wellbeing, and Love Sex Life among others. We have been using it as a social space for our volunteers to drop in and talk to us, have a coffee and a chat, and to verify DBSs and sign documents. Lewisham Local run their volunteer brokerage during this time and it has the potential to be utilised more for volunteer services in the borough.