6
Life events
The most common life event experienced by
individuals was deterioration in health, with over half
(53.3%) reporting such change in their lives.
• 18.1% are recently bereaved
• 21.4% recently been discharged from hospital
• 8.8% recently moved to the area
• 4.4% said that their family had moved away
• 3.8% experienced a relationship breakdown
Support requirements
The individuals were asked at the beginning of the
process what they would like to achieve, this goal
then forms the basis of a 10-15 week plan with week
by week actions to achieve this goal by the end of the
befriending period. These thematic areas emerged:
• Company to go out
• Gain confidence to be able to go out alone
• To be able to socialise and meet people
• To be able to take part in local activities (clubs and
activities)
• To not be dependent on family
Demographic profile
• Most of the individuals (79.7%) are female (20.3%
are male)
• Ages range between 50 and 106, the average is
76.7
• Over half of the sample (58.2%) are aged between
66 and 85, slightly under one quarter (22.5%)
are aged between 86 and 106, and 19.2% were
between 50 and 65
• 69.8% of the individuals live alone
Health and well-being
At baseline, most of the individuals report at least
one physical health condition, mobility issues and
experience of falls/dizziness/blackouts are the most
commonly reported.
• 56% have mobility problems
• 40.1% experience falls/dizziness/blackouts
• 39.6% have a sensory impairment (sight/hearing)
• 11% are housebound
• 7.7% are frail
Over half the individuals experienced anxiety 50.5%
or other mental health conditions:
• 43.4% depression
• 40.1% stress
• 24.7% experienced memory problems
80% 20%
