How we can help your befriending group
Befriending groups provide vital social contact for people who may otherwise feel isolated. Whether you run a lunch club, a visiting scheme or a telephone befriending service, you support people who rely on regular contact and conversation.
Alongside this important work it is important to identify the risks that need to be managed and insured. Many venues and local authorities expect groups to hold public liability cover, and insurance can help protect committee members and volunteers if someone alleges that the group has been negligent.
Our advisers understand the risks faced by small charities, community projects and volunteer led groups. We use this experience to build cover that reflects how your befriending service actually operates, rather than relying on a standard package that may leave gaps.
Who this insurance is for
We can arrange cover for a wide range of groups that tackle loneliness and social isolation, including for example:
- Face to face befriending or visiting schemes
- Lunch and social clubs
- Telephone or online befriending services
- Community projects where befriending is part of wider support
- Faith based or neighbourhood groups offering regular contact and activities
We support small volunteer led projects as well as larger organisations with employed staff.
Why befriending groups need insurance
Even where risks feel low, incidents can and do happen. Typical issues include:
- Injury to a service user, visitor or member of the public at an activity or event
- Damage to a venue or property that you hire or use regularly
- Allegations made against volunteers, organisers or trustees
- Requirements from premises managers, funders or commissioners to evidence liability insurance
Insurance helps protect the group, its volunteers and the people who benefit from your service, and can give reassurance to trustees, coordinators and committee members.
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What types of cover we can provide
Our expert advisers work with you to create policies that meet your needs. Cover for befriending groups can include for example:
Public liability insurance
To cover claims for injury or third party property damage arising from your activities, meetings, outings or events. Many venues will ask to see evidence of this cover.
Employers’ liability insurance
A legal requirement if you have paid staff. We also ensure that volunteers are included, helping you to meet your duty of care to anyone who assists the group.
Trustee and management liability
To protect trustees, committee members and senior decision makers against claims for wrongful acts, errors or omissions in the running of the organisation.
Professional indemnity insurance
Where your group provides advice, guidance or support that others rely on, this can help defend against claims of error, omission or breach of professional duty.
Property and contents insurance
To protect equipment, contents or other physical assets you own or are responsible for, such as furniture, catering equipment, laptops or office contents.
Personal accident and money insurance
Cover to provide defined benefits after certain injuries, and protection for money handled by staff or volunteers.
Further covers can be added where needed, such as cyber insurance, event insurance or minibus insurance, depending on how your group operates.
See what our clients say
They were able to provide cover for what we needed & unlike our previous insurer we did not need to buy a policy that covered several aspects we did not need. I would recommend them.
Wow! What can I say; absolutely fabulous service from Access where nothing was too much trouble. Courteous, responsive and extremely quick in setting up our non-profit group’s insurance.
We felt like lost sheep & not sure what we needed. We were very happy to be guided by their expertise. The staff were extremely helpful and very patient. We would highly recommend them. Excellent…
…it was critical that we had the right cover. Despite the lead time that was available to get the quote in, reviewed and agreed Access Insurance met this challenge head on.
Join befriending groups protected with our specialist insurance
Your organisation has a unique set of risks. We design insurance to match your activities rather than expecting you to fit an off the shelf policy.
Get in touch to discuss your befriending group, ask questions and request a no obligation quote for befriending group insurance.
Your questions answered.
Public liability cover is recommended, as it responds if someone claims they have been injured or their property has been damaged because of your activities. Many venues and partners will expect you to hold this cover.
Employers’ liability is a legal requirement where you have paid staff, but many policies also extend this cover to volunteers. We will advise on the most appropriate approach for your group so that those who help you are properly protected.
The venue’s insurance usually protects the venue owner, not your group. They will often expect you to arrange your own liability insurance for your activities, and may ask for proof of cover.
Yes. We regularly arrange cover for small, volunteer led groups with modest budgets. We will talk through what you do and recommend a practical level of cover that reflects your size and activities. It is important to note, that to purchase insurance, your group will need to be constituted or have a governing document.
Talk to us about any trips you have planned, the type and frequency of outings and events that you hold and will recommend a suitable approach to insuring these activities.
No, it’s simple. An adviser will discuss your requirements with you and then do the work of comparing and selecting suitable cover based on your activities and risks. They will ask the right questions and explain any terminology. We aim to make arranging insurance as straightforward as possible so you can focus on running your befriending service.