|
|
Charter
of Befriending
The eight-point Charter of Befrienders Worldwide forms the
core philosophy governing all aspects of Maithri's functioning. In
fact, each of 330+ befriending centres spread over 30 countries the world
over professes allegiance to the same Charter. It was formulated in 1952,
at the very inception of the befriending movement. Selection and training
of volunteers who man the centers, the style and content of the
interaction with the volunteers, the nature of the outreach programmes,
the care of the volunteers etc. are governed by the same Charter.
THE CHARTER INFORMS:
The potential
caller, what is being offered,
The potential
volunteer, what is to be expected, and
The potential friend what s/he is
associating with.
Eight
point Charter
-
The
primary purpose of the centres is to give emotional support to people
when they are suicidal.
-
The
volunteers who serve the centres also seek to alleviate misery,
loneliness, despair and depression by listening to those who feel they
cannot turn to anyone else who would understand and accept them.
-
Contact
with a centre does not limit individual freedom, which is further
protected by the right to remain anonymous.
-
The
fact that someone has been in contact with a centre (whether by
telephone, letter, visit or any other means) is confidential, so too
is everything revealed by or about the person.
-
The
centres are non-political and non-sectarian, and the volunteers do not
seek to impose their own convictions on anyone.
-
Volunteers
are selected, trained, guided and supported by other experienced
volunteers.
-
Centres
may on certain occasions request the advice of professional
consultants.
-
In
appropriate circumstances individuals may be invited to consider
seeking professional help in addition to the support offered by a
centre.
|
