Charity Supporting Lonely and Isolated to Close This Month
BEfriend has been operating locally for over three decades
The organisation will continue to operate until June. Picture: BEfriend
June 4, 2026
BEfriend, the charity that has supported thousands of lonely and isolated people across Ealing and Hounslow, will close on 12 June after failing to secure the funding needed to continue its work. The decision brings an end to more than 30 years of one-to-one befriending support delivered by over 700 volunteers, who together have helped more than 3,400 residents experiencing loneliness, isolation or mental health challenges.
The charity began as a small project within Ealing Voluntary Service Council before expanding into Hounslow in 2023. Over the decades, it became a fixture of the local voluntary sector, working closely with GPs, social prescribers, mental health teams and community organisations to reach people who might otherwise go days or weeks without meaningful social contact.
In a message confirming the closure, trustee Julia McRae said the decision had been taken with “great sadness”. She added: “Over the last 30 years, the services we have provided have been life-changing for many, and we remain hugely proud of all that we have achieved. The financial backdrop for small charities like us has become increasingly challenging, and we have not been able to secure sufficient funds to ensure a sustainable future for the organisation.”
BEfriend’s work spanned two core programmes: its long-established Befriending Project, supporting people isolated due to disability, age or health conditions, and the Linked Minds Project, launched in 2018 to help residents with diagnosed mental health problems. Volunteers on the Linked Minds scheme received specialist mental health training, enabling them to support clients who often had no other regular social contact.
One of those volunteers, Eliz Azeri, said the experience had given her a “real sense of purpose and connection” within the community. “Befriending has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done,” she said. “Sometimes it is as simple as a walk in the park or a coffee, but those moments can make someone’s week.”
The charity first announced in March that it expected to close by the end of June, prompting concern among volunteers and partner organisations. Some volunteers said they had been unaware that closure was being considered. One told us at the time: “It’s shocking to me that the trustees would close down this 30-year-old organisation without trying to rally the volunteers, the clients, the staff, the councils, or the communities. They could have sought volunteers to temporarily take over, or at least tried to transfer some or all of the infrastructure to a church or community organisation. There’s deep social capital and important services that will just vanish, to the detriment of very vulnerable people.”
Local voluntary sector groups have also warned of the gap BEfriend’s closure may leave, particularly for residents who rely on regular face-to-face contact. While some organisations are exploring whether elements of the service can be absorbed into existing programmes, no replacement scheme has yet been confirmed.
The pressures facing BEfriend reflect a wider trend across the UK charity sector. Rising running costs, increased demand and reductions in government grants and public donations have left many small charities struggling to stay afloat. According to GOV.UK, smaller organisations are at particular risk, with many reporting that their outgoings now exceed their income. Befriending services have seen especially high demand since the pandemic, as loneliness continues to be identified by health professionals as a growing public health concern.
Ahead of its closure, BEfriend has directed clients to Age UK and West London Mind for ongoing support, and to Ealing and Hounslow CVS for volunteering opportunities. The charity has contacted all clients and volunteers individually to discuss next steps.
Eliz Azeri said that although BEfriend is closing, residents can still play a role in tackling loneliness locally. “Checking in on friends or neighbours can make a real difference,” she said. “Honest conversations about mental health also help reduce stigma, which makes it easier for people to reach out when they are struggling.”
Local drop-in services in Ealing
Solace Centre (West London NHS Trust)
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