An Exploratory Study of Befriending Programs with Refugees

Abstract

The losses associated with exile often leave refugees with limited resources to face the challenge of adjusting to a new society. To enhance the successful integration of refugees, it is important to assist them in their efforts in rebuilding and extending their support systems. By matching refugees with volunteers, Befriending Programs aim at creating a supportive environment. Based on information provided by twenty-five organizations that offer befriending programs in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States, this paper explores obstacles they face in the recruitment and retention of befrienders as well as their strategies in overcoming challenges.

A concept analysis of befriending

“…This must be accompanied by a belief that lack of adequate social support has a negative impact on the health and well‐being of individuals and that an active social intervention, in this case befriending, can provide social support and so increase the well‐being and quality of life of the individuals involved (Andrews et al . , Behnia , Mitchell & Pistrang , Lester et al . ).…”

“…Reid (2006) In depth organisational case studies of five English hospices offering befriending using qualitative interviews, focus groups and documentary material. Behnia (2007) Descriptive exploratory study of befriending programmes working with refugees using self administered semi structured questionnaires (n = 25). Gillett and Dixon (2009) Service evaluation of a befriending scheme for older adults (Vital Links, UK).…”

“…Befriending has been used as an intervention to support individuals with low levels of social support in a range of health and social care settings in Europe, North America and Australia (Dean & Goodlad , Behnia , Charlesworth et al . , Phillip & Spratt , Mentoring & Befriending Foundation , Lester et al .…”

“…Befriending has been used as an intervention to support individuals with low levels of social support in a range of health and social care settings in Europe, North America and Australia (Dean & Goodlad 1998, Behnia 2007, Charlesworth et al 2007, Phillip & Spratt 2007, Mentoring & Befriending Foundation 2009, Lester et al 2012. Data collected in the UK by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation suggest that it is an increasingly popular form of intervention, with over 3500 befriending projects in the UK alone (Mulvihill 2011).…”

Struggling with Meaningfulness when Context Shifts: Volunteer Work in a German Refugee Shelter

“…While some of these studies acknowledge that this image of volunteering is idealized (e.g Hustinx, ), critical studies explicitly highlight how volunteers are often exploited (Dempsey and Sanders, ), putting them at risk for compassion fatigue and burnout (Yanay and Yanay, ), especially when working with vulnerable populations, e.g., refugees (Behnia, ). Furthermore, their unpaid and often chronically underfunded work may replace paid labour (Halford et al, ; Taylor, ), which can fuel conflicts with paid staff (Golden‐Biddle and Rao, ; Kreutzer and Jäger, ).…”