Services Make a referral Make a referral Important notice: due to a consistently high demand for our services, we are not accepting new referrals for befriending and/or groups* until Monday 14 August 2023. During this period, we will be focusing on clearing a backlog of referrals. We will also be refining the eligibility criteria for our Befriending service to ensure that, once referrals resume, we are able to prioritise those in greatest need. We will publish the new eligibility criteria prior to 11 August 2023 and be ready to receive new referrals for befriending and/or groups from 14 August 2023. * We will continue to process referrals for the Hospital Buddy and Information and Support services. How do I make a Hospital Buddy referral? Are you worried or anxious about an upcoming operation? Would you be interested in having a Hospital Buddy? Eligibility Criteria: Resident of Southwark or registered with a Southwark GP Over the age of 60 Awaiting or have recently undergone an elective surgery In need of additional support due to living alone; having no or limited family support/social network and/or living with a dependent other Anxious/concerned/worried about your upcoming elective surgery If this is you, and you would be interested in being matched with a Hospital Buddy, either fill out our online referral form or download the form below, complete all the sections of the form and return it by email to services@linkagesouthwark.org. Fill out our online referral form Download a referral form If you would like us, instead, to send you a copy of the forms to complete, please call us on 020 8299 2623. What happens once I've made a referral? A member of our Services Team will make contact with the person referred to arrange a time to visit them at home, get to know them a little better and see if they are suitable for our service.