b:friend

What b:friend does

b:friend is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO, registration 1171148) founded in 2016 and headquartered in Doncaster that delivers free befriending services to isolated older adults across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. The charity operates two core products: a one-to-one Befriending Programme that pairs DBS-checked volunteer befrienders with isolated older neighbours for weekly visits, and Social Clubs (16 as of December 2025) that host group activities such as dancing, mocktail-making, crafts, and themed events at community venues. A referral funnel accepts both external referrals (from healthcare providers, social services, family members) and self-referrals.

There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on human-delivered services supported by standard SaaS tooling — MailChimp for newsletters, Google Analytics for web traffic, Wix for the online shop, KindLink for donations, and JustGiving for peer-to-peer fundraising. The core technology layer is the volunteer coordination process (DBS checks, induction, matching, ongoing supervision), which has been externally validated by the Rotherham Volunteer Management Award.

The organisation is funded entirely by donations and grants rather than service fees, with revenue streams including individual donations (tiered at £5/£20/£50/£100), corporate Charity-of-the-Year partnerships (e.g., Strata £145,000; Dyce Energy £1,181.93), merchandise and cookbook/calendar sales via a Wix shop, Gifts in Wills facilitated through solicitor partnerships, and grants from The National Lottery Community Fund, Postcode Lottery, and local councils. It runs with a small core team of approximately 8 staff (2023 figure) supplemented by a large volunteer base that contributed 37,108 hours, supported 729 active friendships, and ran 1,500+ hours of Social Club sessions.

Name

b:friend

Legal name

b:friend

Website

https://letsbfriend.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

b:friend is a UK charity founded in 2016 that pairs DBS-checked volunteer befrienders with isolated older adults and runs 16 Social Clubs across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire to reduce loneliness, funded by donations, corporate partnerships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Elderly Loneliness Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Companionship & Social Engagement Visits (HSABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB), Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK)

Keywords

• Elderly befriending services
• Loneliness support charity
• Older adult companionship
• Social isolation programmes
• Volunteer community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Doncaster

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the charity's mission to combat loneliness. Various donation amounts suggested: £5 for refreshments, £20 to recruit a befriender, £50 for outings, £100 for 6 months of friendship.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners choose b:friend as their charity of the year, undertaking fundraising activities and employee volunteering. Examples include Dyce Energy raising £1,181.93 and Strata raising £145,000.
3. Merchandise and Cookbook Sales: Sale of branded merchandise (mugs, tote bags, hoodies, t-shirts) through the b:friend shop. Cookbook 'b:tasty' sold with minimum £7.50 per book going to support the charity. Calendar sales also mentioned.
4. Gifts in Wills: Legacy giving programme where supporters are encouraged to leave gifts in their Wills to b:friend. Partnerships with solicitors for Will writing months with voluntary donations.
5. Fundraising Events: Various fundraising activities including challenges, events, and community initiatives driven by corporate partners and individual supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

b:friend is a UK charity that combats loneliness and social isolation among older adults by pairing isolated older neighbours with DBS-checked volunteer befrienders for weekly home visits and by running 16 group Social Clubs across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. All befriending and Social Club services are delivered completely free of charge to older neighbours and are funded through individual donations, corporate partnerships, grants, merchandise and cookbook sales, and gifts in Wills.

Product overview

b:friend is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) focused on ending loneliness among older adults. The core offering consists of one-to-one befriending (pairing volunteer befrienders with isolated older neighbours) and group befriending through Social Clubs offering weekly activities. The portfolio includes complementary products: the b:tasty cookbook (recipes and stories from the community), a branded merchandise shop, and annual charity calendars. All offerings support the charity's mission of reconnecting older adults with their communities across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• b:tasty: A cookbook featuring recipes and stories from the b:friend community, launched in November 2023.
• b:friend 2025 Calendar

Products and services

• Befriending Programme One-to-one befriending service pairing volunteer befrienders with isolated older neighbours for weekly visits to combat loneliness and social isolation.
• Social Clubs Weekly group befriending sessions offering activities such as dancing, mocktail-making, mindful crafts, creative writing, and armchair travels across 16 locations in South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire.
• b:tasty Cookbook Charity cookbook featuring recipes and stories from older neighbours, including a contribution from 2018 Great British Bake Off Winner Rahul Mandal. QR codes provide access to audio recordings and video content. Minimum £7.50 per book goes to b:friend.
• b:friend Online Shop E-commerce shop selling b:friend branded merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and Christmas-themed items. Proceeds support the charity's work.
• b:friend 2025 Calendar A4 charity wall calendar featuring photos of older neighbours and volunteers in themed costumes, with QR codes linking to video interviews.

Quantifiable outcome

• 729 active friendships maintained with 37,908 cuppas made
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Clay Lane LegalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 June 2026Local solicitors based in Clay Cross, Derbyshire partnered with b:friend for Will Writing Month in July. Offering free Will writing with voluntary donations to b:friend.
• Orchard SquarecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 June 2026Sheffield's independent retail, leisure and entertainment destination named b:friend as its Charity of the Year starting June 2026. Plans include raising awareness of loneliness, community activities, events, and a 'Chatty Bench' painted in b:friend colours to encourage conversations.
• ReefminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 February 2026Reef, an app offering remote and hybrid working solutions, partnered with b:friend to support wellbeing and combat loneliness. Reef is offering 25% off their service with code BFRIEND25, with a portion supporting b:friend. Partnership includes fundraising initiatives, awareness creation, and encouraging volunteering.
• Best SolicitorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 January 2026Local solicitors working across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire offered a free Will writing service during February. The firm waives fees and asks clients to consider voluntary donations to b:friend (suggested £75 for single Will, £150 for mirror Will).
• Christmas Party FundersminorOthers · 17 December 2025Multiple organisations funded the Christmas Party at Magna Science Centre: Derbyshire Voluntary Action, A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sky Time To Care, South Yorkshire's Community Foundation, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, North East Derbyshire District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, JN Derbyshire Trust, Gripple Limited, McCarthy Stone Foundation, The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, Xeinadin Doncaster, Sheffield Town Trust.
• Dyce EnergycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2024Rotherham-based energy supplier company chose b:friend as their charity of the year. Dyce Energy raised £1,181.93 through fundraising activities including the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, dragon boat race, and charity gala. Employees also volunteered at b:friend's Bolton upon Dearne Social Club throughout the year, participating in activities like indoor curling, Tudor-themed sessions, and fishing.
• StratacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2023Doncaster-based construction company raised £145,000 for b:friend as their charity of the year (2022/2023). Strata organised bake sales, colour runs, zipline and parachute challenges, a three-day kayaking trip, a golf day, a football match, Santa's visit, and created b:friend's Xmas Single and music video. The company also hosted b:friend's Social Clubs at their wellbeing mornings.
• XeinadinminorOthersb:friend's headquarters is located at Xeinadin, Sidings Court in Doncaster. Xeinadin appears to be a shared office or business centre arrangement.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mind: UK mental health charity providing support including for older adults experiencing depression linked to isolation. Broader than b:friend in scope (all ages, mental health), but comparable in addressing social isolation's mental health impacts.
• Alzheimer's Society: Major UK charity supporting people affected by dementia, with services including befriending and social activities for older adults with cognitive decline. Overlaps with b:friend where loneliness co-occurs with dementia, though primary focus is dementia-specific.
• Age UK: The UK's largest charity for older people, providing advice, befriending, and a wide range of services. Directly comparable to b:friend as both serve lonely older adults with companionship services, though Age UK operates nationally with a much broader service portfolio.
• Royal Voluntary Service: Large UK volunteering charity running hospital and community services including befriending for older people. Comparable to b:friend in volunteer-led elderly support, though operating at national scale and across broader service areas.

Direct peers

• Friends of the Elderly: UK charity providing befriending, grants, and residential care for older people in need. Directly comparable in the befriending-for-lonely-elderly niche, with similar target beneficiaries and volunteer-driven model.
• Independent Age: National UK charity providing advice, befriending calls, and community support for older people facing loneliness. Comparable to b:friend in target population and non-clinical social-support service model.
• The Silver Line Helpline: Free 24-hour helpline for older people in the UK, addressing loneliness and isolation through telephone befriending. Direct peer for b:friend in mission and beneficiary base, though delivery is via phone rather than in-person visits and clubs.
• Re-engage (formerly Contact the Elderly): UK charity running free tea parties, activity days, and phone befriending for isolated older people. Closest direct peer to b:friend's 1:1 befriending and group Social Clubs model, focused on combating loneliness among the same demographic.

Regional players

• Age Concern (regional): Network of local Age Concern charities across the UK providing community-based services to older people, including befriending. Comparable to b:friend in delivery model and target population, with overlapping regional footprints.

Emerging players

• Campaign to End Loneliness: UK organisation working to combat loneliness in older adults through research, advocacy, and connecting service providers. Adjacent to b:friend in mission, focused on ecosystem-level impact rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/_bfriend?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/bfrienders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bfriend
• Instagraminstagram.com/lets.bfriend

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about b:friend