You don’t have to go through this alone

Befriending Support

At Basch Helps, we understand that challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood are not only practical they can also be emotional, overwhelming, and deeply personal.

At Basch Helps CIC, we believe support should never end at the point of delivery.

While providing emergency essentials for your newborn is at the heart of what we do, our commitment has always gone further. We have never simply delivered and moved on — we take time to check on the wellbeing of both parent and child, because we understand that need does not end once the items arrive.

Through this approach, many of our dedicated volunteers have had the privilege of building meaningful connections — offering ongoing peer support through follow‑ups and, where appropriate, additional home visits.

For us, this is more than a service.

👉 It is an opportunity to break down barriers, build trust, and stand alongside you during some of life’s most challenging moments.

Whether you are facing emotional, physical, or financial difficulties, our aim is simple:

👉 to be there, offering support, understanding, and companionship no matter the obstacles in your way, and to help you give your child the best possible start in life.

👉 In these moments, what many parents need most isn’t just items or advice —

Feeling isolated or unheard

Struggling mentally or emotionally

Managing physical recovery

Facing financial pressure

Trying to cope with everything at once

💛 What Befriending Means

Our Befriending Service offers safe, one‑to‑one support from a trained volunteer who is there to:

🌱 Who Befriending Is For

Befriending is available if you are:

Pregnant or a new parent
Feeling overwhelmed or struggling emotionally
Experiencing stress due to finances or life circumstances
Managing recovery after birth
Feeling isolated or lacking support

👉 There is no threshold and no judgement — if you feel you need support, you are welcome

🌟 What Befriending Is Not

To help set clear expectations:

It is not medical or clinical therapy
It is not crisis intervention (999 / emergency services)
It is not formal counselling

👉 It is compassionate, human support and connection

🌟 The Benefits of Befriending Support

Our support is designed to fit around you and your needs.

💬 Accessible Communication

Stay in touch via phone, email, or WhatsApp

🤍 Emotional & Listening Support

A trusted space to talk openly
Someone to listen, understand, and support you

🤝 Flexible Meet‑Ups

Meet in a safe public space or at home (where appropriate)
Weekly or monthly — depending on your needs

💪 Building Confidence & Reducing Stress

Feel less overwhelmed and more in control
Rebuild confidence as a parent
Better prepare for the challenges ahead

👶 Supporting Your Baby’s Future

Helping create a stable and nurturing environment
Supporting your child’s growth, wellbeing, and development

🩺 Guidance & Signposting

Connect you to relevant NHS and community services
Help you access additional support when needed

🎁 Additional Practical Support

Where possible, provide top‑up essentials for your newborn

We are not here to judge you, your home, or your financial situation.

👉 Our focus is simple — to create a safe, calm space where you can take a moment, sit down, talk openly, and feel heard.

Sometimes that starts with something as simple as making a cup of tea, having a conversation, and listening to what’s really going on. From there, we work with you to create a clear, manageable plan that can bring real, positive change allowing you to focus more on what truly matters: your baby and your wellbeing.

We understand that at some point in life, everyone faces difficult and challenging times.

There are moments when:

Problems feel constant or overwhelming
It feels easier to stay quiet than ask for help
You may hesitate to speak to friends, family, or professionals

👉 Over time, this can make everything feel heavier and harder to manage, sometimes without even realising the impact it can have on daily life.

When challenges are left unspoken or unsupported, they can begin to build and affect:

Your emotional wellbeing
Your physical health
Your confidence and ability to cope

👉 What may start as small pressures can grow quickly, making things feel more overwhelming than they need to be.

This is why early support matters.

Because when challenges are addressed and shared:

They feel more manageable
Solutions become clearer
You regain a sense of control and stability

❤️ Why This Matters for You and Your Family

Your wellbeing is closely connected to:

The stability of your home
Your confidence as a parent
Your child’s development and early experiences

👉 Getting the right support at the right time can make a real difference — for both you and your children, especially during those early, important years.

💛 Support on Your Terms

Befriending is always your choice.

But if you choose to connect with us, you will be supported by a warm, uplifting, and understanding team of volunteers — many of whom have experienced similar challenges themselves.

👉 This means:

You will be listened to with empathy
You will be understood without judgement
You will be supported by people who truly relate

Our ears and hearts are always open, and together we will:

Work through challenges
Explore practical solutions
Bring moments of light and reassurance — even in difficult times

Because sometimes, support also means sharing a smile or a small moment of relief along the way.

🌱 A Flexible, Ongoing Support System

Our befriending service is:

✅ Completely free

✅ Embedded within our AngelBox community support

✅ Available short‑term or long‑term — your choice

👉 Whether you need brief support or ongoing connection, we are here for as long as you need us.

Our aim is simple:

👉 To help you feel supported, so you can focus on nurturing and bonding with your child

Because when you feel supported, your child feels it too — creating a stronger foundation for:

Healthy emotional development
Confidence and stability
Positive early years growth

🤍 What to Expect from Befriending Support

A calm, supportive space — just for you

Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed.

At Basch Helps, we want you to feel safe, respected, and comfortable from the very beginning.

👉 This guide will help you understand what your befriending session will be like — so you know exactly what to expect.

💛 Before Your Session

Once you book your appointment:

✅ You will receive confirmation of your session
✅ Details on how the session will take place (phone, online, or in person if applicable)
✅ Any simple instructions or contact details

👉 There is nothing you need to prepare — just come as you are

🌱 What You Can Talk About

You can talk about anything that feels important to you, including:

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or low
Pregnancy or post‑birth experiences
Financial pressures or stress
Loneliness or lack of support
Parenting challenges

👉 This is your space — you decide the pace and the topics

🛡 A Safe and Confidential Space

During your session:

You will be listened to without judgement
Your experiences will be treated with care and respect
Conversations are confidential, within safeguarding boundaries

👉 Your safety and comfort always come first

💬 Your First Session

Your first session is about getting to know you and understanding what you need

You can expect:

A warm, friendly introduction
A safe space to talk openly
Time to share what brought you to the service (only if you feel comfortable)
Gentle questions to understand how we can support you

👉 There is no pressure to share everything at once

🤝 How Your Befriender Will Support You

Your volunteer will:

Listen and give you time to speak
Offer reassurance and encouragement
Help you explore ways to cope
Signpost you to further support if needed

👉 They are there to walk alongside you — not to tell you what to do

💛 After Your Session

After your session:

You may feel lighter or more reassured
You may decide to book another session
You may be signposted to additional support if helpful

👉 There is no obligation — you choose what happens next

💛 A Safe Space for You

This is a space where:

You can speak openly
You will be treated with respect
You will not be judged
You are in control of what you share

You don’t have to explain everything perfectly

Start your journey of hope & recovery

Our role is to support you through a journey of hope, stability, and recovery

❤️ More Than a Service

👉 We are not just a baby bank

We don’t only provide items, we care about what happens before, during, and after that moment of need.

We care about:

Your emotional wellbeing
Your confidence as a parent
Your journey through difficult times
Your recovery and future

👉 Our role is to support you through a journey of hope, stability, and recovery

🛡 Safe, Trusted, and Professional Support

Your safety and wellbeing are our priority.

✅ All of our befriending volunteers:

Are carefully selected and trained
Have completed relevant safeguarding training
Have undergone enhanced DBS checks
Receive ongoing support and supervision

👉 You can feel confident that you are speaking to someone who is:

Responsible
Compassionate
Professional

📅 Book Your Befriending Appointment Today

📅 How to Book a Befriending Appointment

We’ve made it simple and accessible to get support when you need it.

✅ Book Online in a Few Steps

Visit our online booking system
Choose a time that works for you
Select your preferred type of session (if applicable)
Confirm your appointment

👉 You will receive confirmation and any follow‑up details

We Have Several Urgent Appeals At The Moment

Donate Today

Your donation helps ensure babies and toddlers across London have the essential items they need during the most critical stages of early life.

Through AngelBox emergency relief, your support provides practical baby essentials and equipment to families facing financial hardship, rising living costs, and sudden crisis. Every contribution helps reduce immediate pressure on parents, supports early wellbeing, and strengthens outcomes for children at the very start of life — when timely support makes the greatest difference.

NHS NWL ICB HEALTH EQUITY AWARD WINNER 2023

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