Meaningful human connections celebrated in exhibition marking Befriending Week in Worthing

Side-by-Side celebrates meaningful moments of connection in later life and shows why they matter. The launch of the exhibition has coincided with Befriending Week and it will run until November 26.

Emily Kenward, founder and chief executive, said: “This Befriending Week, Time to Talk Befriending is asking for befriending to be recognised and supported as an essential service for health and wellbeing, so that more people can experience meaningful connection when they need it.

“As we grow older, the things that make us who we are do not suddenly become less important. We still want to be known, listened to, share our interests, contribute and know that we matter.

“Side-by-Side celebrates the relationships that make that possible. Befriending can look very simple from the outside but a dependable relationship takes thought, trust and ongoing support. Our role is not just to introduce two people. We support the relationship so it can continue to be meaningful and safe as life changes.”

The charity is based in Portslade and, thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, it delivers its work across Adur and Worthing, alongside its work in Brighton and Hove.

Emily said befriending is about much more than providing someone to talk to. The charity specialises in creating and sustaining carefully-matched relationships in advanced later life, when changes in health, mobility, memory, confidence or personal circumstances can make staying connected increasingly difficult.

Its approach includes getting to know the whole person, careful matching, ongoing reviews, volunteer support, safeguarding, signposting and support when circumstances change.

Emily said: “This is reflected in the exhibition itself. The photographs make visible relationships that often develop quietly, week by week, including in the homes of older people who may otherwise have few opportunities to connect with others. They celebrate not only conversation and companionship but what it can mean to be remembered, expected and valued, while still having opportunities to share interests, experience and humour.

“This approach is at the heart of Time to Talk Befriending’s 2026–2029 strategy, which recognises loneliness as being about more than the absence of social contact. It can also be about wanting to feel seen, heard, valued and meaningfully connected. The strategy places trusted relationships, compassionate support and quality at the heart of the charity’s future direction.”

The strategy also celebrates the charity’s volunteers, whose time, care and commitment make these relationships possible. Recognising how vital they are, supporting their wellbeing and ensuring they feel valued are central to the charity’s future plans.

Sarah Hirchfield, senior lead for befriending and community connections, and Ellen Stewart, designer and Time to Talk Befriending's longest-standing volunteer, were at Worthing Town Hall on Tuesday, November 3, to chat to visitors about befriending, volunteering and the charity’s work with older people across Adur and Worthing.

Sarah said befriending was about companionship, giving older people time to talk and to share stories. For some, it was a lifeline, she added.

Ellen said she had been matched up with the same person since the beginning. She visits once a fortnight and telephones alternate weeks, so they are in constant contact.

Ellen added: “Befriending is such a simple act to do, and it's so effective. I get so much from it. It's such a fulfilling thing to do as a volunteer. Just one hour a week makes such a difference to your scheme member, the person who's lonely, and it really makes a difference to their lives.”

As a member of Befriending Networks, Time to Talk Befriending has access to and contributes towards specialist guidance, training and resources developed for the befriending sector and is connected to services across the UK to share learning about good-quality befriending. The charity also holds Befriending Networks’ Quality in Befriending Excellence accreditation.