The BID project

Summary of project

Befriending is a relationship between two individuals, initiated, supported and monitored by an agency, which aims to help individuals who are lonely, isolated and have limited opportunities for community participation. Befriending has been found to have some beneficial effects on depression but at present there are no published trials on the impact of befriending on depressive symptoms in people with intellectual disability. The main aim of the BID study is to assess the recruitment rate of participants, the number of successfully matched pairs of volunteers and individuals with intellectual disabilities and the drop-out rate participants. The study will also examine the effects of befriending on symptoms of depression in people with intellectual disability, as well as other outcomes such as self-esteem and quality of life, and will examine the impact of befriending on volunteers such as their wellbeing and attitudes towards people with intellectual disability.