Virtual Befriending Service with Burning Nights CRPS Support

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can leave you feeling lonely, isolated and vulnerable whether you’re a patient, loved one or family member. One way that Burning Nights CRPS Support is trying to combat this is with our Virtual Befriending Service.

What is Virtual Befriending?

Do you feel like you are the only one affected by CRPS? This is something we want to change. You are not alone in this journey.

Burning Nights CRPS Support is now offering a volunteer-led friendship service, where a member of our team will call you every week (either over the phone or on Zoom video), for a total of 12 weeks. This would allow you to connect with someone else affected by CRPS, who understands your condition and experiences, all from the comfort of your own home

Please note that this isn't a counselling service.

Who is the Virtual Befriending service For?

All of the services offered by Burning Nights CRPS Support are available for patients living with a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), as well as their families, partners, carers and friends. Age restrictions apply to some services. You must be aged 16 years of age or above to register for the Virtual Befriending Service.

If you feel as though you are alone on your CRPS journey, please know that you are not and we are here to make sure you feel supported.

To take part in the Virtual Befriending Service you must:

• be over 16 years of age (if you are under 16, a parent/guardian must give their permission for you to take part)
• have your own landline or mobile phone (if you choose a phone call)
• be able to hear and be understood over the phone (if you choose a phone call)
• have a quiet area or space for the call / Zoom chat
• commit to a regular call / Zoom chat each week (up to 12 calls/weeks)
• live/reside in the United Kingdom
• either have CRPS, or be a family member, parent, spouse or caregiver of a person with CRPS

How many calls will I receive?

Once you have been matched with a volunteer Befriender, you will receive up to 12 calls (either over the phone or on Zoom video). Calls will be once a week, so the calls will take place over about 12 weeks.

If you are unable to make a scheduled Befriending call, please inform your Befriender or the Charity as soon as possible (ideally, no less than 48 hours before the call was due to take place). Your Befriender can then rearrange the call for a more suitable time. If you cannot make a call, you will still be able to have the up to 12 calls.

Do you want to volunteer with the Virtual Befriending Service?

If you would like to volunteer with the Virtual Befriending Service, visit our Volunteering page to find out more. You must live/reside in the United Kingdom.

How to Sign Up

If you are interested in signing up for the Virtual Befriending Service, please submit the registration form below. You should then receive an email from a member of the team to confirm that you have been added to the waiting list for the service. We will ask that you confirm some details, including which method of call you would prefer (i.e. telephone or Zoom) and when you are most likely to be available for the call. Without this confirmation you will not be added to the waiting list.

Please be aware that there is currently a long waiting list for the Virtual Befriending Service.

The service accepts referrals from health and legal professionals, who can complete the registration form on behalf of a client. Please indicate that this is the case on the form. The client whom you are referring must have given their permission for you to do this.

To be eligible for the Virtual Befriending Service, we require that you have a formal diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome from a Pain Consultant or be the loved one or carer of someone diagnosed with CRPS.

Sign Up for Befriending

Please be aware that there is currently a long waiting list for the Virtual Befriending Service.

If you would like to sign up for the Virtual Befriending Service with Burning Nights CRPS Support, please complete the registration form below and click 'Submit'.