Befriending services in Castle Point

We are looking for feedback to help inform a decision that will impact local befriending services. Please read the below and then if you wish, answer the survey questions. It will take about 10 minutes to complete, but it may take a little longer if you choose to write long responses.

Why is this change being proposed?

We are proposing to remove duplication in befriending services to ensure public money is spent once, not twice, while maintaining access to support.

This will mean decommissioning the Castle Point Association for Voluntary Services (CAVS)Befriending Project and supporting the transition of as many of the service users and volunteers as possible to the existing Age Well East Befriending Service or other similar support that is available to people living in Castle Point and Rochford.

Both the CAVS Befriending Service and the Age Well East Befriending Service help people feel less lonely, stay independent, and avoid needing more intensive health or social care support. Running two very similar services side by side means public money is being spent twice for the same outcome.

From a taxpayer perspective, this is not the best use of limited NHS and council funding.

What will this mean for people who use the service?

Befriending support will continue for people over the age of 18 who are lonely or socially isolated.

There are some differences in the way CAVS and Age Well East deliver befriending services.

There is a possibility that there will be less capacity for face-to-face befriending from Age Well East Befriending than there currently is from CAVS, but we are committed to making sure everybody is offered something that will meet their needs.

Referrals will continue through the Essex Wellbeing Service - Essex Wellbeing Service Essex Wellbeing Service’s single point of access and local voluntary and community organisations.

Careful transition planning will be put in place to make sure people are supported without disruption.

We also recognise that the CAVS Befriending services has benefitted from the dedication of more than 100 volunteers.

Commissioners, CAVS and Age Well East will work together to identify and explore opportunities for the current CAVS volunteers to continue volunteering, if this is what they wish to do.

How will the impact of this change be managed?

The change will be managed by reviewing people’s needs and, where possible, maintaining support for existing CAVS Befriending clients. Access to the service will remain fair and consistent through the Essex Wellbeing Service’s single point of access, with local voluntary groups helping people use it. No negative impacts have been identified for people with protected characteristics. While there may be less long‑term one‑to‑one befriending, this is expected to be balanced by short‑term support focused on helping people become more independent.

Does this reduce preventative care?

No. Evidence shows that befriending is effective at preventing loneliness and reducing pressure on NHS services.

That is why it is important to keep befriending in place, but to do so through a single, sustainable, system-wide service rather than funding two overlapping schemes.

Why does this make financial sense?

Ending the CAVS Befriending Project will save £37,703 per year.

A county-wide befriending service is already funded by Essex County Council at no cost to the NHS.

Running both services in parallel means duplication and double funding.

Removing duplication allows public money to be used once, but more efficiently.

The savings can be redirected to other frontline health and care priorities.

Please complete the five questions in our quick survey.