Growing our team in Derbyshire

We are thrilled to welcome to b:friend our new Derbyshire Befriending Coordinator, Rachael Mullen.

Rachael will be working across Derbyshire, creating more friendships in the community for older neighbours through 1:1 and group befriending.

She has been volunteering as a befriender since 2021 and as the charity’s Chesterfield Social Club lead since last June. The club sessions ran every other Monday in Chesterfield Library until January 2024, when they moved to weekly sessions.

Rachael said: “I have always worked with people in some form or another. I was a carer for people with learning disabilities. I trained as a mental health nurse and worked in secure units and care homes. I had a career break when I had my second child and soon started to miss giving my time to help others. 

“I started befriending in September 2021 and still see the same lady every week.  I wanted to challenge myself further and started running the Chesterfield Social Club in June 2023 before applying for a post in 2024. I can’t wait to help b:friend to grow and make a difference to more lives in my community.”

Read Rachael’s bite-sized bio:

• Joined b:friend: 2024
• Loves: Food, looking after my chickens, naps
• Dislikes: Lateness, rudeness, tinned macaroni cheese
• Best b:friend memory: Seeing a Social Club member transform from being shy and nervous into a confident and bubbly member of the gang!